The expression of miR-29a, DKK-1 and β-catenin in normal and AS tissues were detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting.
Selected miRNAs, such as miR-29a-3p, miR-146a-5p or miR-222-3p with an established role in extracellular matrix formation and inflammation were associated with spinal changes and/or disease activity assessed by BASDAI in AS patients, including miR-625-3p reflecting disease activity in AS with spinal involvement.
We previously found that miR-29a was significantly downregulated in Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, a chronic inflammatory disease associated with bone metabolic disorder, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
Significantly higher expression of miR-29a was observed in PBMCs of AS patients (Ct 9.18 ± 1.96) compared with that in RA patients (10.97 ± 0.70, p < 0.001) and healthy controls (Ct 11.45 ± 1.23, p < 0.001).