Evaluation of IGF-1, CD39, CD73 and related miRNAs level in patients with Behcet's syndrome compared to healthy controls

Abstract

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a chronic inflammatory immune disease that affects multiple organs. The main clinical symptom is recurrent canker sores. Ocular inflammation, rheumatology, gastrointestinal and skin involvement may be present, and neurological symptoms and vascular complications may result in a significant level of morbidity. Its etiology is not yet fully understood. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α are increased in BS patients and are closely related to clinical symptoms and disease activity in BS.

Materials and methods:

Written and informed consent will be received from patients with Behcet's syndrome referred to Imam Reza Hospital (AS) who have relapsed and healthy people who are the control group. Then blood samples will be taken from these people in the number of 30 people in each group. Some of the separated blood is used to separate the serum by centrifugation, and the rest of the blood is used to separate PBMCs using Ficoll. The expression levels of CD39, CD73, miR-30a and miR-206 are measured using specific primers for these genes and Quantitative Real-time PCR technique. Also, the expression on the protein level of CD39, CD73 is measured using western blotting technique. The amount of this molecule in isolated sera is measured using a proprietary IGF-1 commercial ELISA kit.

Results: The results of the study showed that the gene and protein expression levels of CD39 and CD73 in Behcet's patients were significantly lower compared to healthy individuals. Also, the amount of IGF-1 secretion in patients was significantly lower than healthy people. The expression of inflammatory microRNAs miR-30a and miR-206 was higher in patients than in healthy individuals.