Baseline bloodstream samples for laboratory analyses were collected between 7.00 and 9.00 a.m. of miR-22-5p and miR-142-3p were associated with higher levels of thyroid antibodies, suggesting their contribution to the pathogenesis of HT. Keywords:miRNA, Cyclobenzaprine HCl autoimmune thyroid disease, AITD, Hashimotos thyroiditis == 1. Introduction == Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are the most common autoimmune diseases, affecting 25% of the population in high-income countries [1]. Hashimotos thyroiditis (HT), the most frequent AITD, is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient areas of the world. Although exact mechanisms of aetiology and pathogenesis of HT are not completely understood, a strong genetic susceptibility to the disease has been confirmed by studies carried out within families and twins [2]. As in other autoimmune disorders, humoral and cellular immune mechanisms are closely related and cross-linked in AITDs. Disturbed self-tolerance accompanied by an increased antigen presentation is a precondition for their manifestation, based also on the interaction of thyroid, antigen presenting and T cells. Secreted cytokines provoke predominantly a T-helper type 1 (Th1) as well as a Th17 response, which has been described [3]. Impaired thyroxin production and hypothyroidism as well as, more rarely, hyperthyroidism, are the consequences. Early Cyclobenzaprine HCl diagnosis and intervention may help to prevent the development of HT and abnormal thyroid function. The final diagnosis of HT depends on lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and further histopathological examination which is invasive and sometimes unfeasible [4]. Serum thyroid antibodies and ultrasonography are now used for diagnosis. At an early stage, HT is asymptomatic, easily leading to misdiagnosis [5]. Therefore, more biological markers need to be discovered to assist in early and accurate diagnosis of HT. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding, highly conserved ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA), thus modifying transcriptional processes. A single miRNA can regulate the expression of multiple genes and their encoded proteins [6]. In total, over 30% of human mRNAs are regulated by miRNAs [7]. Many miRNAs have been found to be important for the survival, development, differentiation, and function of T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and other immune cell types [8,9]. Accordingly, differential miRNA expression profiles have been reported in autoimmunological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and psoriasis, [10,11,12,13,14] as well as in AITDs [15,16,17,18,19]. The aim of the study was to examine a panel of nine selected miRNAs to evaluate whether there is a difference in serum expressions of patients with HT and to investigate possible relations to thyroid antibodies. Candidate miRNAs for the present investigation have been selected according to their presence in serum as well as to previously described associations of humoral and/or cellular immune mechanisms involved in AITDs (Table 1). == Cyclobenzaprine HCl Table 1. == MiRNAs, mature sequence and source of reference of each selected miRNA. hsa, homo sapiens; miRNA, micro RNA. == 2. Materials and Methods == == 2.1. Study Populations == Data of the present investigation were obtained from the BioPersMed cohort (Biomarkers of Personalized Medicine), an ongoing single-centre, prospective, observational study to evaluate novel biomarkers for the assessment of cardiovascular and common metabolic diseases and their related complications. This Rabbit polyclonal to ARHGDIA observational trial was initiated in the year 2010 and the study population consists of 1022 asymptomatic subjects without diagnosed cardiovascular disease (CVD) with at least one classical risk factor for CVD, such as family history of CVD, hypertension or dyslipidaemia. Extensive anthropometric and clinical data were carefully recorded, including comorbidities such as previously diagnosed HT. Patients presenting with severe illnesses independent of aetiology, or who were expected not to be able to complete study specific examinations, have been excluded from participation. Moreover, persons with serious co-morbidities or mental health problems have also been excluded. Written informed consent from each participant was obtained after the study approval by the institutional review board of the Medical University of Graz (EC Nr. 24-224 ex 11-12). The BioPersMed study is conducted in compliance with Good Clinical Practice Guidelines Procedures (GCP) and carried out according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. For the present observational investigation, we screened the BioPersMed cohort for previously diagnosed HT patients (n= 27) as well as age and sex matched participants suitable as healthy controls (n= 22). HT patients have been diagnosed based on the commonly used diagnostic tools such as clinical manifestations, ultrasound and measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),.
Baseline bloodstream samples for laboratory analyses were collected between 7