Association between circulating microRNA-126 expression level and tumour necrosis factor alpha in healthy smokers

Abstract

Introduction: Smoking contributes to the death of a million people worldwide each year. Smokers experience an alteration in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the risk of expected lung cancer. The study aimed at investigating the expression levels of mir-126 and mir-124, as well as TNF-α as possible biomarkers of expected smoking-related diseases.

Methods: Twenty-five male smokers’ age and sex-matched with 25 non-smokers were recruited for the present study. Plasma expression levels of mir-126 and mir-124 were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Lipid profile, TNF-α, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein were assessed in plasma of each participant.

Results: Plasma miR-126 was statistically down-regulated in smokers relative to non-smokers; however, mir-124 did not show any significant changes between groups. Among the measured parameters, mir-126 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) displayed a good discrimination and sensitivity between smokers and non-smokers (AUC = 0.809 (95% CI: 0.668–0.95; p < 0.001) and 0.742(95% CI: 0.584–0.9; p < 0.01), respectively. Also, the combined evaluation of miR-126 and TNF-α levels showed high discrimination (AUC= 0.889 (95% CI: 0.779–1.00; p < 0.0001), sensitivity = 85%, and specificity = 80% in the diagnosis of smokers with non-smokers.

Conclusions: MiR-126 and TNF-α are potential biomarkers of smoking-related diseases and are important in assessing the expected tobacco-related harm.

Keywords:

• Mir-126
• tumour necrosis factor-alpha
• healthy smokers

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge the National Research Centre, as well as the Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, for providing laboratory space and types of equipment for achievement of the current work.

Author contributions

All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

Disclosure statement

No potential of conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in the current study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the National Research Centre –Egypt (MREC, NRC) with approval number 18120, and with 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments. Written informed consent was taken from each participant included in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.