miR-15a and 16-1 are downregulated in CD4+ T cells of multiple sclerosis relapsing patients

Int J Neurosci. 2012 Aug;122(8):466-71. doi: 10.3109/00207454.2012.678444. Epub 2012 May 1.

Abstract

The pathology of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) is largely attributed to activated autoreactive effector T lymphocytes. The influence of microRNAs on the immune response has been shown to occur in different pathways of lymphocyte differentiation and function. Here, the expression of the miRNAs miR-15a/16-1 in PBMC, CD4(+), and CD8(+) from RR-MS patients has been investigated. BCL2, a known miR-15a/16-1 target, has also been analyzed. The results have shown that miR-15a/16-1 is downregulated in CD4(+) T cells, whereas BCL2 is highly expressed in RR-MS patients only. Our data suggest that miR-15a/16-1 can also modulate the BCL2 gene expression in CD4(+) T cells from RR-MS patients, thereby affecting apoptosis processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Down-Regulation / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / genetics
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • MIRN15 microRNA, human
  • MIRN16 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Messenger