Title:Association of Circulating Levels of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α
and miR-210 with Photosensitivity in Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus Patients
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Author(s): Amira M. Gamal-Eldeen*, Cinderella A. Fahmy, Bassem M. Raafat, Fayez Althobaiti, Iman H. Bassyouni and Roba M. Talaat
Affiliation:
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box
11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- High Altitude Research Center, Prince Sultan Medical Complex, Al-
Hawiyah, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Photosensitivity, systemic lupus erythematosus, hypoxamiR, circulating miR-210, HIF-α, patients.
Abstract:
Background: miR-210, a key hypoxamiR, regulates hypoxia and
inflammation-linked hypoxia. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic
autoimmune disease, is responsible for many pathological disorders, including
photosensitivity.
Objective: This study aimed to find the correlation between circulating miR-210/HIF-1α
levels and photosensitivity in SLE patients and other SLE-associated pathological
complications in a single-center case-control study.
Methods: The study population comprised 104 SLE Egyptian patients with
photosensitivity, 32 SLE patients without photosensitivity, and 32 healthy subjects. SLE
activity was assessed for all patients using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).
Clinical complications/manifestations and hematological/serological analyses were
recorded. HIF-α concentration was investigated by ELISA, and miR-210 expression was
analyzed by qRT-PCR.
Results: The results revealed that circulating miR-210 was significantly increased in the
SLE/photosensitivity group versus the SLE and control groups. The additional
occurrence of malar rash, oral ulcers, renal disorders, or hypertension resulted in a
higher expression of miR-210. SLEDAI activity status showed no effect on miR-210.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, patient age, and
disease duration were positively correlated with circulatory miR-210. HIF-α concentration
was significantly induced in the SLE/photosensitivity group versus the SLE and control
groups. In SLE/photosensitivity, the presence of renal disorders and hypertension
resulted in the highest HIF-α concentrations. A strong positive correlation was recorded
between HIF-α concentration and circulatory miR-210 in SLE/photosensitivity patients (r
= 0.886).
Conclusion: The dysregulation of circulating miR-210/HIF-1α levels in SLE/
photosensitivity patients is controlled by the presence of additional pathological
complications, and results suggest that the hypoxia pathway might interact positively
with the pathogenesis and disease progression of SLE.
