Next-generation sequencing reveals broad down-regulation of microRNAs in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis CD4+ T cells. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanders, Katherine; Benton, Miles; Lea, Rod; Maltby, Vicki; Agland, Susan; Griffin, Nathan; Scott, Rodney; Tajouri, Lotti; Lechner-Scott, Jeannette
• Is Part Of: Clinical epigenetics. Volume 8:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- Secondary progressive -- MicroRNAs -- Immunology -- CD4+ T cells -- Next-generation sequencing; Epigenesis -- Periodicals; Genetic regulation -- Periodicals; Human cytogenetics -- Periodicals; Human molecular genetics -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Genetic aspects -- Periodicals; 611.01816
• DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0253-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1868-7075

Abstract

Abstract Background Immunoactivation is less evident in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) compared to relapsing-remitting disease. MicroRNA (miRNA) expression is integral to the regulation of gene expression; determining their impact on immune-related cell functions, especially CD4+ T cells, during disease progression will advance our understanding of MS pathophysiology. This study aimed to compare miRNA profiles of CD4+ T cells from SPMS patients to healthy controls (HC) using whole miRNA transcriptome next-generation sequencing (NGS). Total RNA was extracted from CD4+ T cells and miRNA expression patterns analyzed using Illumina-based small-RNA NGS in 12 SPMS and 12 HC samples. Results were validated in a further cohort of 12 SPMS and 10 HC by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results The ten most dysregulated miRNAs identified by NGS were selected for qPCR confirmation; five (miR-21-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-29b-3p, miR-142-3p, and miR-155-5p) were confirmed to be down-regulated in SPMS (p < 0.05).SOCS6 is targeted by eight of these ten miRNAs. Consistent with this, SOCS6 expression is up-regulated in SPMS CD4+ T cells (p < 0.05). This is of particular interest asSOCS6 has previously been shown to act as a negative regulator of T cell activation. Conclusions Ninety-seven percent of miRNA candidates identified by NGS were down-regulated in SPMS. The down-regulation of miRNAs and increased expression ofSOCS6 in SPMS CD4+ T cells may contribute to reduced immune system activity in progressive MS.