Differential expression of interleukin-1/Toll-like receptor signaling regulators in microscopic and ulcerative colitis

AIM:To investigate Toll-like receptor(TLR)signaling regulators in microscopic and ulcerative colitis patients.METHODS:Total RNA and microRNA were isolated from fresh frozen colonic biopsies of non-inflamed controls and patients with active or in-remission collagenous colitis(CC),lymphocytic colitis(LC),or ulcerative colitis(UC).We compared expressions of interleukin-1receptor-associated kinase(IRAK)-2,IRAK-M,interleukin(IL)-37,microRNA(miR)-146a,miR-155,and miR-21 using quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:IRAK-M expression was increased in LC patients with active disease in histopathological remission(LC-HR;P=0.02)and UC patients(P=0.01),but no differences in IRAK-2 expression were detected compared to controls.miR-146a,-155 and-21 expressions were increased in LC-HR(P=0.04,0.07,and 0.004)and UC(P=0.02,0.04 and 0.03)patients.miR-146a and miR-21 expressions were significantly enhanced in UC patients compared to UC remission(UC-R;P=0.01and 0.04).Likewise,active CC patients showed significantly increased expression of miR-155(P=0.003)and miR-21(P=0.006).IL-37 expression was decreased in both CC(P=0.03)and LC(P=0.04)patients with a similar trend in UC patients but not statistically significant,whilst it was increased in UC-R patients compared to controls(P=0.02)and active UC(P=0.001).CONCLUSION:The identification of differentially expressed miRNAs,IL-37,and IRAK-M suggests different pathophysiologic mechanisms in various disease stages in LC,CC,and UC.