Background Autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common autoimmune disorders and the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries. The substitution of thyroid hormones is one of the most prescribed therapies. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs that can be detected intracellularly or in the circulation and that modulate translation. They are involved in various physiological and pathological processes and are linked to numerous disorders such as autoimmune or thyroid disease. Patients and methods 46 participants were recruited in the outpatient clinic of the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology. A panel of 9 circulating microRNAs (miR-21-5p, -22-3p, -22-5p, -96-5p, -142- 3p, -146a-5p, -301-3p, -375, -451) was analyzed in 8 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 18 healthy controls using qRT-PCR based on previous studies on miRNAs in autoimmune thyroid disease. Results The study cohort showed no significant difference in microRNA expression between patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and healthy controls. However, miR-22-3p showed a conspicuous distribution in the Hashimoto group suggestive of two distinct subgroups that can be found in HT. The subgroup with low miR-22-3p expression showed lower levels of thyroid antibodies although the sample size is too small to calculate the significance. Discussion In summary the previously detected difference in miRNA expression could not be replicated. In future studies on miRNAs in AITD further analysis on miR-22-3p should be included to assess its’ clinical utility.
MicroRNA-signatures in autoimmune thyroid disease
Arifi, E. (Autor/-in). 2023
Studienabschlussarbeit: Diplomarbeit