Epigenetic Mechanisms of Genes Influencing Immune Response in Patients with Celiac Disease

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to investigate the expression levels of micro RNAs (miRNAs) (miR-196b, miR-10a, miR-31-5p, and miR-338-3p) that regulate genes involved in the proliferation and function of cells functioning in inflammatory processes in Celiac patients' blood and tissue samples. Celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory disease that affects people who are genetically predisposed to gluten consumption. The only treatment for this disease is a gluten-free diet.
METHODS: The miRNA expressions were determined in blood and tissue samples from 12 pediatric patients with CD and from 8 healthy children using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and SybrGreen dye. The gene expression levels of miRNAs such as miR-196b, miR-10a, miR-338-3p, and miR-31-5p was compared between two groups.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference only in miR-10a gene expression levels between control and patient blood samples. The greatest difference in between tissue and blood samples within the CD group were found in expression of miR-31-5p and miR-338-3p. It was seen that the patients' HLA tissue type was not associated miRNA expression profiles. Besides, there was no significant correlation between Marsh classification and gene expression levels.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The significantly low level of miR-10a may be related to the CD due to its effect on the immune response. However, miR-10a may have a potential for the non-invasive diagnosis of CD.