Evaluation of miR-let-7f, miR-125a, and miR-125b expression levels in sputum and serum samples of Iranians and Afghans with pulmonary tuberculosis

Ali Nour Neamatollahi; Samira Tarashi; Nayereh Ebrahimzadeh; Farzam Vaziri; Mohammad Ali Zaheri Birgani; Mohammadreza Aghasadeghi; Abolfazl Fateh; Seyed Davar Siadat; Saeid Bouzari

doi:10.18502/ijm.v15i5.13872

Ali Nour Neamatollahi Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Samira Tarashi Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Nayereh Ebrahimzadeh Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Farzam Vaziri Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Ali Zaheri Birgani Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadreza Aghasadeghi Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Abolfazl Fateh Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Davar Siadat Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Saeid Bouzari Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v15i5.13872

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; MicroRNA; Sputum; Serum

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tuberculosis infection is well established. As microR- NAs are able to change expression profiles according to different conditions, they can be useful biomarkers. Iranians and Afghans with tuberculosis were studied for three immune-related miRNAs (miR-let-7f, miR-125a, and miR-125b).

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 Iranian and Afghan patients with active pulmonary TB were enrolled in the Pulmo- nary Department of the Pasteur Institute of Iran. Serum and sputum samples were collected simultaneously from all partici- pants. A Real-time PCR was conducted to detect differentially expressed miRNAs.

Results: Iranian (P<0.0001) and Afghan (P<0.0001) serum samples and Afghan (P<0.0001) sputum samples overexpressed miR-125a, whereas Iranian sputum samples showed downregulation (P=0.0039). In both Iranian (P<0.0001; P=0.0007) and Afghan (P<0.0001; P<0.0001) serum and sputum samples, miR-125b was overexpressed. Furthermore, miR-let-7f down- regulation was observed in serum and sputum samples (P<0.0001), whereas Iranian sputum samples had no statistically significant differences (P=0.348).

Conclusion: Overexpression of miR-125a and miR-125b has been detected in Iranian and Afghan samples. In both races, miR-let-7f downregulation has been confirmed. Identification of miRNA profiles under different conditions opens the door to evaluating potential new biomarkers for diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapeutic markers in TB infection.