Relationship between microRNA-369-3p, SIRT1, and IL-22 in psoriasis vulgaris

Background Several psoriasis-associated microRNAs have been identified. IL-22 plays a pathogenic role in psoriasis. STAT3-dependent IL-22 signaling and its effects on keratinocytes are negatively regulated by SIRT1. Objective To explore the relationship between microRNA-369-3p, SIRT1, and IL-22 in patients with psoriasis. Patients and methods Twenty-five patients with plaque psoriasis and 25 age and sex matched healthy controls were recruited from the Dermatology Department of Assuit University Hospital in Egypt. Each patient was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Serum samples and skin biopsies were obtained from each patient and healthy control to determine relative skin expression levels of microRNA-369-3p and SIRT1 using real-time PCR, and serum levels of IL-22 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results MicroRNA-369-3p demonstrated increased expression in skin samples collected from patients with psoriasis. There were significantly higher serum levels of IL-22 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris than in controls. There was no significant correlation between microRNA-369-3p, SIRT1 expression, and IL-22 levels. Conclusion MicroRNA-369-3p may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis by regulating the expression of other predicted target genes, but not that of SIRT1.