miR429 is Upregulated in Inflammatory Monocytes and Regulates Monocyte Migration

PurposeRheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and joint destruction. Inflammation is characteristic of an immune response, brought about by increased migration of leukocytes to the damaged area. Monocytes migrate from the blood into the tissue to exert their effects. A multitude of genes involved in inflammatory pathways regulate monocyte migration. miRNAs are post transcriptional regulators that effect gene expression in a variety of cell types and in response to various stimuli. We hypothesized that inflammation regulates miRNA expression, including miR429, which then plays a specific role in regulating the expression of monocyte genes involved in monocyte migration. Methods and ResultsMonocytes were isolated from the blood of normal subjects (n=5) and patients with RA (n=8). miRNA was isolated and cDNA prepared. qPCR was performed using primers specific for miR429. There was a 2.6 fold increase in the expression of miR429 in the RA patients compared to ...