Expression of miRNA and cytokine levels in children with asthmatic attack evaluation

Asthma is a very common respiratory disease in children. In this disease, there are both cytokine changes and microRNA (miRNA) changes. Numerous studies have been conducted that suggest miRNAs regulate gene expression. There are studies showing that miRNAs regulate many pathways in the pathogenesis of asthma. Studies have shown that it also plays an important role in the remodeling of the airway. Expression changes of several miRNAs have also been found to play a role in the development and/or improvement of asthma. In this study, it was aimed to invastigate miRNA expression and its relationship with cytokines in the T helper pathway during asthma attack. A total of 60 children, including 30 patients with asthma and 30 healthy controls, were included in this study. Serum miRNA-155, 146a, 133 and 29c levels of all children participating in the study were investigated. At the same time, children's serum IL-4, 5 and 13 levels and spirometric measurements were made. Finally, asthma control test (ACT), asthma qualty of life questionnaire and skin prick test (SPT) were applied. In our study, the serum miRNA-146a (p=0,006), miRNA-133 (p=0,002) and miRNA-29c (p=0,001) values of the patients at the time of the attack were found to be significantly lower than the control group. The serum IL-13 value of the patients in remission was found to be significantly lower than the value of the control group (p<0,001), miRNA-146a (p=0,001), miRNA-133 (p<0,001) and miRNA-29c (p=0,021) values in the remission period were found to be significantly higher than in the attack period. Serum IL-13 value in the remission period was found to be significantly lower than in the attack period (p=0,008). A significant positive correlation was observed between the asthma control test value and the asthma qualty of life questionnaire and the forced expiratory volume in one second (forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FEV1) measured during the attack. A positive and significant correlation was observed between the asthma qualty of life questionnaire and exacerbation FEV1 and peak expiratory flow (PEF). There was a significant negative correlaiton between attack miRNA-155 and attack serum IL-5. As a result, in this study, it was observed that serum miRNA levels decreased during the asthma attack period. It was concluded that the serum IL-13 level in the remission period was lower than both in the asthma attack period and in the control group. Other studies have mostly been done between asthma patients and healthy control groups. There is a need for large-scale studies including the asthma attack group.