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. 2021 Jun 10:2021:5554461.
doi: 10.1155/2021/5554461. eCollection 2021.

Role of MicroRNA-155 as a Potential Biomarker for Allergic Rhinitis in Children

Noha M Hammad  1 , Fedaa Nabil  1 , Eman M Elbehedy  1 , Randa Sedeek  1 , Magdy I Gouda  2 , Mohamed A Arafa  3 , Saffaa M Elalawi  4 , Alia A El Shahawy  1
Affiliations

Role of MicroRNA-155 as a Potential Biomarker for Allergic Rhinitis in Children

Noha M Hammad et al. Can Respir J. .

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory state categorized by a disturbance of immunoregulatory mechanisms. MicroRNA-155 (miRNA-155) has an essential role in regulating gene expression and can mediate the allergic TH2 process.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of miR-155 as a biomarker in AR and correlate its level with the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and the levels of serum interleukin-4 (IL-4).

Methods: This study included 90 children: 45 with pollen-induced AR and 45 healthy controls. Serum miR-155 expression levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Human IL-4 ELIZA kits were used for the semiquantitative detection of the serum levels of IL-4. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the best cutoff values for the studied parameters for the diagnosis of AR.

Results: The demographic characteristics of the two groups were matched with respect to age and sex. The AR case group included 23 (51.1%) males and 22 (48.9%) females, while the control group included 24 (53.3%) males and 21 (46.7%) females. The miR-155 level was increased in the serum of children with pollen-induced AR compared with controls (mean difference = 2.8, p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation between the serum expression level of miR-155 and TNSS in children with AR was detected (r = 0.494, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was identified between the expression of miR-155 and that of IL-4. At a cutoff value of 1.09, the sensitivity of miR-155 as a biomarker for AR was 100%, and the specificity was 71.1%.

Conclusion: MiR-155 expression levels were elevated in the serum of AR children. Therefore, miR-155 could be used as a biomarker in AR diagnosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison between the studied groups regarding (a) miR-155 and (b) IL-4 serum levels. AR: allergic rhinitis and SD: standard deviation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
ROC curve showing the performance of miRNA-155 and IL-4 in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlations between miR-155 and (a) TNSS, (b) IL-4, (c) specific IgE, and (d) age among AR patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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