Identification of Jak-STAT signaling involvement in sarcoidosis severity via a novel microRNA-regulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene signature

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 26;7(1):4237. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04109-6.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous lung disorder of unknown cause. The majority of individuals with sarcoidosis spontaneously achieve full remission (uncomplicated sarcoidosis), however, ~20% of sarcoidosis-affected individuals experience progressive lung disease or cardiac and nervous system involvement (complicated sarcoidosis). We investigated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) microRNA and protein-coding gene expression data from healthy controls and patients with uncomplicated or complicated sarcoidosis. We identified 46 microRNAs and 1,559 genes that were differentially expressed across a continuum of sarcoidosis severity (healthy control → uncomplicated sarcoidosis → complicated sarcoidosis). A total of 19 microRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs were identified within these deregulated microRNAs and mRNAs, which consisted of 17 unique protein-coding genes yielding a 17-gene signature. Pathway analysis of the 17-gene signature revealed Jak-STAT signaling pathway as the most significantly represented pathway. A severity score was assigned to each patient based on the expression of the 17-gene signature and a significant increasing trend in the severity score was observed from healthy control, to uncomplicated sarcoidosis, and finally to complicated sarcoidosis. In addition, this microRNA-regulated gene signature differentiates sarcoidosis patients from healthy controls in independent validation cohorts. Our study suggests that PBMC gene expression is useful in diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Proteins / classification
  • Blood Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinases / genetics
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • MicroRNAs / classification
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • STAT Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Sarcoidosis / blood
  • Sarcoidosis / classification
  • Sarcoidosis / genetics*
  • Sarcoidosis / physiopathology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • STAT Transcription Factors
  • Janus Kinases