The effects of oral Nanocurcumin on expression levels of microRNAs and development factors of Treg cells and Th17 cells in Multiple Sclerosis patients

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to identify nanocurcumin effects on Th17 and Treg cells frequency, cytokines secretion, and expression of transcription factors of these cells in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: 50 patients with RRMS and 35 heathy control were enrolled in this study in which 25 patients with RRMS were treated for at least six months with nanocurcumin capsules while the other half received placebo capsules as the control group. At baseline and after a six-month treatment, the frequency of Treg and Th17, the expression levels of miRNAs, cytokines and transcription factor and also the secretion levels of cytokines were assessed by flowcytometry, RT- PCR and ELISA, respectively. Results: Our analysis revealed that the proportions of Th17 were increased dramatically, along with increases in the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, and RORγt expression in MS patients in compared with healthy control group. Posttreatment evaluation of the nanocurcumin group revealed a significant decrease in Th17 associated parameters such as Th17 frequency (p=0.029), expression levels of RORγt (p < 0.0001) and IL-17 (p=0.0044) and also secretion level of IL-17 (p=0.0011), but IL-23 mRNA expression levels and IL-23 concentration were not influenced by nanocurcumin. However, in the placebo group there is no significant changes in these factors. A significant reduction was observed in the proportion of peripheral Treg cell frequency, and the levels of TGF-��, IL-10 and Foxp3 expression in patients with RRMS. Our data revealed that the frequency of Treg cells (p=0.0027), the expression of Foxp3 (p=0.0005), TGF-�� (p=0.0005), and IL-10 (p=0.0002) and the secretion levels of the TGF-�� (p=0.033), and IL-10 (p=0.029) in cultured PBMCs are increased in nanocurcumin-treated group compared to placebo group. Additionaly, expression levels of miR-106b significantly decreased in the nanocurcumin treated group, but no significant change was observed in miR-25 expression. Moreover, expression of miR-326 significantly decreased in the nanocurcumin treated group.