Glatiramer Acetate Treatment Normalizes Deregulated microRNA Expression in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Author Information
Author(s): Waschbisch Anne, Atiya Monika, Linker Ralf A., Potapov Sergej, Schwab Stefan, Derfuss Tobias, Kleinschnitz Christoph
Primary Institution: Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
Hypothesis
Does glatiramer acetate treatment restore the expression of deregulated microRNAs in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?
Conclusion
Glatiramer acetate treatment appears to normalize the expression of certain microRNAs in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Supporting Evidence
- Four microRNAs were found to be aberrantly expressed in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis compared to healthy controls.
- Expression of miR-146a and miR-142-3p was significantly lower in glatiramer acetate treated patients.
- The study analyzed the expression of five selected microRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
- Receiver operator characteristic curves indicated low discriminatory power for individual miRNAs.
- The combination of certain miRNAs yielded a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 88.0% in predicting disease.
Takeaway
This study found that a treatment called glatiramer acetate helps fix the levels of certain tiny molecules in the blood that are messed up in people with a disease called multiple sclerosis.
Methodology
The expression of selected microRNAs was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and healthy controls using real-time PCR.
Potential Biases
Potential confounders include differences in age and disease duration among treatment groups.
Limitations
The study population was relatively active with a high percentage of patients experiencing recent relapses, which may influence miRNA expression.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 74 individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and 32 healthy controls, predominantly of Caucasian origin.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.003; p=0.028
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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