Serum miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-210 as potential markers of Graves' disease

BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated that dysfunctional regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be associated with Graves' disease (GD). In this study, we evaluated four serum Treg-associated miRNAs (miR-210, miR-182, miR-155, and miR-146a) expressions and assessed the potential of serum miRNAs as biomarkers of GD. MethodsFoxp3 and serum miRNAs expressions both in GD patients and healthy controls were measured by RT-PCR. ResultsSerum miR-210 in GD patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (2.64-fold, P<.001); in contrast, miR-155 and miR-146a were lower (P<.001 and P=.008). No significant difference was found in miR-182. ROC curve analysis indicated that miR-210, miR-155, and miR-146a with the area under ROC (AUC) of 0.803 (70.0% sensitivity and 83.1% specificity), 0.796 (76.3% sensitivity and 76.9% specificity), and 0.736 (68.8% sensitivity and 73.8% specificity), respectively, could differentiate GD patients from healthy controls. Combination of three miRNAs yielded an AUC of 0.976 (91.3% sensitivity and 93.8% specificity) with 92.41% diagnostic efficiency. In addition, serum miR-210 and miR-155 in GD were associated with the extent of goiter. Three miRNAs levels were different by gender. Besides, serum miR-210 was positively correlated with free thyroxine (FT4) and thyrotrophin receptor antibody (TRAb) level. ConclusionThe serum levels of miR-210, miR-155, and miR-146a may be potential new markers for the diagnosis of GD and play important roles in GD pathogenesis.