Measuring levels of expression of mir-146b, mir-21, mir-326 and IL-17 gene in patients with Behcet’s disease in comparison with healthy controls

Abstract

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystem disease. BD occurs as recurrent oral and genital pests, also with eye, skin, articular, intestinal, genitourinary, pulmonary, and vascular involvement. Gene expression is affected by epigenetic changes. Disorders in the expression and level of microRNAs are associated with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Therefore, they may be presented as diagnostic or clinical prognostic markers and a target for the treatment of diseases. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-21, miR-146b, miR-326 and IL-17 genes as well as serum levels of IL-17 in patients with Behçet’s disease and compare with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This case-control study performed on 46 patients and 70 healthy controls. Initially, mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum were isolated by Ficoll. Total RNA extracted by triazole and then cDNA synthesized by RT-PCR protocol. Real-time PCR technique used to evaluate the expression of genes. Serum IL-17 level determined by ELISA method. Finally, the relationship between the expression of these genes in patients and their clinical and pathologic features investigated. All analyzes analyzed by SPSS 25 software. Results: The levels of miR-21 and miR-326 were significantly different in the patient's group compared to the control group, but there was no significant change in miR-146b. Serum levels of IL-17 and IL-17 expression were also significantly different in these two groups. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the results of expression of these miR-21, miR-326 serum levels of IL-17 and IL-17 mRNA expression is one of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the gene expression regulation, and possibly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease may be used as a diagnostic biomarker or Target therapy.