Analysis of association between microRNA-16 and microRNA-15 expression levels with responses to steroid treatment in patients with nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common inflammatory kidney disorder within proteinuria. Glucocorticoids are the first line treatment for NS patients. Moreover, microRNAs are small non-coding molecules that involve in regulation of gene expression at transcription or translation levels. According to involvement of microRNAs in regulation of responsivity to treatment with glucocorticoids, investigation of miR-15a-5p and miR-16-5p expression levels in patients with NS was the aim of study. Material and methods. Blood samples of 60 patients with primary NS and 24 healthy volunteers were collected for evaluation of microRNA expression levels. Moreover, in-silico analysis was performed for more investigating of important signaling pathways and hubgens of the selected miRNAs. Results. Results showed that there is significant increased in miR-15a-5p expression level in PBMC samples of NS (P= 0.001), MGN (P= 0.006) and FSGS (P= 0.002) groups in compared to healthy controls. In addition, miR-16-5p expression levels in NS (P= 0.022) and FSGS (P= 0.013) patients were significantly decreased when compared to controls. In-silico analysis showed 10 dominant signaling pathway within 10 hubgen for microRNAs.