Increased MicroRNA‐1266 levels as a biomarker for disease activity in psoriasis vulgaris

Abstract Background Increasing evidence has shown that serum micro RNA (miR) levels are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic value in various diseases. Psoriasis is characterized by a specific miR expression profile, with a characteristic miR signature, distinct from that of healthy skin. Objectives To understand the role of miR‐1266 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and to explore if it has the potential as a blood biomarker. We assessed serum miR‐1266 levels in patients with psoriasis before and after treatment and compared it with controls. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between miR‐1266 and clinical severity in psoriasis before and after treatment. Methods miR‐1266 was measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction in 35 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 35 healthy controls before and after treatment. Moreover, the correlation between miR‐1266 levels and psoriasis area and severity index score was determined. Results Serum miR‐1266 levels were considerably higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy control subjects. Furthermore, miR‐1266 levels showed a strong positive correlation with psoriasis area and severity index score before and after treatment, having a marked decline with therapy. Conclusion miR‐1266 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. This may presumably have possible future implications on the treatment of this chronic disease.