Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the expression profile of four immune-related microRNAs (miR-181a, miR-146a, miR-326 and miR-142-3p) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and explore the role and significance of miRNAs in ITP patients. Methods   The relative expression of the four miRNAs in the PBMCs was detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 34 ITP patients (ITP group) and 31 healthy controls (control group). Modified MAIPA was used to detect platelet GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX specific autoantibodies in 22 ITP patients. And the correlations of miRNAs expression with antiplatelet antibody, peripheral platelet count and clinical indexes were analyzed. Results   The expression levels of miR-146, miR-326 and miR-142-3p in the PBMCs of ITP group were decreased significantly compared to those in control group (P<0.05) . The  expression level of miR-146a was positively correlated with miR-326, miR-181a and the peripheral platelet counts (P<0.05). The expression level of miR-326 was positively correlated with the expression of miR-181a (P<0.05). The expression levels of the 4 miRNAs had no significant difference among sexes, effect of corticosteroid and different antibodies. Conclusion    The abnormal expression of miR-146a, miR-326 and miR-142-3p may play a role in the occurrence and development of ITP.

Key words: immune thrombocytopenia; microRNA; antiplatelet antibody