Association analysis of miRNA-146a and miRNA-499 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis: a case-control and trio-family study

Single nucleotide polymorphism is known to alter the expression and processing of miRNAs leading to a variety of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, disagreement is present up to date regarding the association of miRNA-146a and miRNA-499 polymorphisms with RA. The goal of this study was to assess the association of polymorphisms at miRNA-146a and miRNA-499 with the pathogenesis of RA in patients originating from Pakistan. Initially, eleven hundred subjects (1100) comprises of 550 RA patients and 550 healthy controls were investigated in the case-control analysis. Spectrophotometric measurement of lipids and C-reactive protein was used, whereas interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase-1 and TNF-receptor associated factor-6 values were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Secondly, heritability of susceptible alleles was tested from 70 trio-families. The miRNA-146a rs2910164 and miRNA-499 rs3746444 polymorphisms were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction digestion. A Significant association of miRNA-146a and miRNA-499 genotypes was observed with RA patients (P < 0.05, respectively). The miRNA-146a rs2910164 G (OR = 1.4, P < 0.05) and miRNA-499 rs3746444 C (OR = 1.6, P < 0.0001) allele was significantly associated with RA in comparison with controls, respectively. Besides, the transmission analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) inheritance of rs2910164 G and rs3746444 C allele from parents to affected offspring. The current research concludes that miRNA-146a (rs2910164; C > G) and miRNA-499 (rs3746444; T > C) polymorphisms are linked to RA in the population studied. Furthermore, it was demonstrated for the first time in our high-risk cohort that the rs2910164 G and rs3746444 C allele was strongly related to familial RA.

Automated summary

This study investigated the association of miRNA-146a and miRNA-499 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Pakistani patients. The results showed significant associations between miRNA-146a and miRNA-499 genotypes and RA, suggesting a genetic link. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and genetic factors of RA.