Biomolecules (Feb 2022)

A Description of the Hemolytic Component in Sickle Leg Ulcer: The Role of Circulating miR-199a-5p, miR-144, and miR-126

  • Edvan do Carmo Santos,
  • Gabriela Imbassahy Valentim Melo,
  • Paulo Vinícius Bispo Santana,
  • Idaiara Graziele Silva Quadros,
  • Sètondji Cocou Modeste Alexandre Yahouédéhou,
  • Caroline Conceição da Guarda,
  • Rayra Pereira Santiago,
  • Luciana Magalhães Fiuza,
  • Suéllen Pinheiro Carvalho,
  • Elisângela Vitória Adorno,
  • Carla Martins Kaneto,
  • Teresa Cristina Cardoso Fonseca,
  • Marilda Souza Goncalves,
  • Milena Magalhães Aleluia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12020317
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 2
p. 317

Abstract

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Sickle leg ulcers (SLU) are malleoli lesions with exuberant hemolytic pathophysiology. The microRNAs are potential genetic biomarkers for several pathologies. Thereby, we aimed to assess the expression of circulating miR-199a-5p, miR-144, and miR-126 in association with hemolytic biomarkers in SLU. This cross-sectional study included 69 patients with sickle cell disease, 52 patients without SLU (SLU-) and 17 patients with active SLU or previous history (SLU+). The results demonstrated elevated expression of circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-144 in SLU+ patients while miR-126 expression was reduced. Circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-144 were associated with hemolytic biomarkers such as LDH, indirect bilirubin, AST, GGT, iron, ferritin, RBC, hemoglobin, and NOm, in addition to association with impaired clinical profile of SLU. Furthermore, in silico analyses indicated interactions of miR-199a-5p with HIF1A, Ets-1, and TGFB2 genes, which are associated with vasculopathy and reduced NO. In contrast, miR-126 was associated with an attenuating clinical profile of SLU, in addition to not characterizing hemolysis. In summary, this study demonstrates, for the first time, that hemolytic mechanism in SLU can be characterized by circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-144. The circulating miR-126 may play a protective role in SLU. Thus, these microRNAs can support to establish prognosis and therapeutic strategy in SLU.

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