miR-762 as biomarker in Graves’ ophthalmopathy patients

miRNA short non-coding RNAs have a function in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of miRNA expression and activity in the immune system is associated with a range of illnesses. Evaluate the levels of miRNA-762 in individuals with Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) and the extent to which it serves as a biomarker. A total of (150) individuals of different genders and ages who were enrolled and distributed into three groups according to symmetrical criteria (50) patients of Graves’ disease with Ophthalmopathy (GO) and (50) patients of Graves’ disease (GD) and (50) healthy individuals. All patients were diagnosed with GD by TRAB test, miR-762 expression level was determined by one-step qRTPCR. GO is more common in females (76.0%) than males (24.0%), and in the age mean (42.8 ± 14.6). GO patients had a significantly higher TRAB level compared to both GD and controls, 8.32, 5.98 and 0.66, respectively (P < 0.01). miRNA-762 expression was significantly upregulated in GO patients (fold change = 11.2), compared to GD, control group (fold change = 7.4), (fold change = 3.0), respectively, at P < 0.01. ROC curve indicates miRNA-762 Specificity and Sensitivity, cutoff value was 6.5, sensitivity 88.0%, specificity 76.0%, AUC 0.87. Pearson correlation shows that miRNA-762 was positively associated with TRAb in the GO group (r = 0.689, p < 0.001). miRNA-762 expression is higher in Graves’ ophthalmopathy. When the ROC curve was done for serum miRNA-762 for prediction of the diagnosis of GO, gave good sensitivity and specificity. These results indicated good validity of miRNA-762 as a diagnostic marker for GO.

Graphic abstract