Key clinical point: In an analysis of blood-derived CD19+ B cells, miRNAs may have regulatory functions in RA patients treated with methotrexate.
Major finding: Differences in expression were noted for 27 microRNAs between methotrexate patients and controls, but no significant differences between newly diagnosed patients and controls. Some of the differentially expressed miRNAs were dysregulated in RA patients including miR-223-3p, miR-486-3p and miR-23a-3p.
Study details: The data come from small RNA sequencing of 10 newly diagnosed untreated RA patients (n=10), 18 successfully methotrexate (MTX) treated RA patients in remission, and 9 healthy controls.
Disclosures: The study was supported in part by Helse Sør-Øst Grants. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.
Source: Heinicke F et al. Front Immunol. 2021 Apr 9. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.663736.