MicroRNA biomarkers in leprosy: insights from the Northern Brazilian Amazon population and their implications in disease immune-physiopathology

• DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1320161
• Publication Date: 2024-01-25T04:23:09Z
• Authors: Miguel Ángel Cáce...; Pablo Pinto; Leandro Magalhães; Tatiane Piedade d...; Angelica Gobbo; Josafá Gonçalves ...; Moises Batista da...; Patrícia Fagundes...; Claudio Guedes Sa...; Ândrea Ribeiro-do...
• Keywords: Mycobacterium leprae

Leprosy, or Hansen’s Disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite persistent efforts to combat it leprosy remains significant public health concern particularly in developing countries. The underlying pathophysiology the not yet fully understood hindering development effective treatment strategies. However, recent studies have shed light on potential role microRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules can regulate gene expression, as promising biomarkers various disease, including leprosy. This study aimed validate set nine circulating miRNAs propose new for early diagnosis disease. Hsa-miR-16-5p , hsa-miR-106b-5p hsa-miR-1291 hsa-miR-144-5p and hsa-miR-20a-5p showed differential expression between non-leprosy group (non-LP) (LP), accurately discriminating them (AUC > 0.75). In addition, our revealed gender-based differences miRNA LP. Notably, higher male LP, suggesting its male-specific biomarker. Similarly, hsa-miR-16-5p displayed elevated female indicating their female-specific biomarkers. Additionally, several studied are involved dysregulation apoptosis, autophagy, mitophagy, cell cycle, immune system conclusion, validation highlights provides insights into pathogenesis