Small RNA-seq analysis of serum miRNAs from patients with systemic sclerosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and healthy controls
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by microvascular dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and progressive fibrosis, and can be classified into limited cutaneous (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) forms. Primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a functional vascular disorder that may precede or occur independently of connective tissue diseases. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as regulators of vascular and immune processes and can be detected in serum.  In this study, serum miRNA profiles were assessed in patients with SSc, including lcSSc and dcSSc subtypes, RP, and healthy controls. Small RNA sequencing was performed in a discovery cohort to characterize circulating miRNA expression across the study groups. Libraries were prepared from serum-derived RNA and sequenced on an Illumina platform. Raw sequencing data were processed using a standardized pipeline for miRNA quantification, and normalized counts were generated for downstream analyses.  This dataset provides a resource for the exploration of circulating miRNA profiles in SSc subtypes and RP.