The miR-125a-3p is Associated With Leprosy Phenotypes and Correlated With Bacillary Index

Background: Mycobacterium leprae infects skin and peripheral nerves causing a broad of clinical forms. Data have shown that the miR-125a-3p can influence immune mechanisms such as autophagy as well as to target genes leading to abnormal proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of cells. Methods: . Here we used quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) to evaluate the miR-125a-3p expression pattern as a marker for leprosy phenotypes in biopsies obtained from patients with and without reactions. Data were analysed according to clinical forms and bacillary index (BI). Results: . Our results show a significant increase in the miR-125a-3p expression in paucibacillary (PB) vs multibacillary (MB) (p = 0.007) and vs RR (reversal reactions) (p = 0.005), respectively; and also a higher expression in patients with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) vs MB without reactions (p = 0.002). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the miR-125a-3p expression and BI in patients with reactions (r=0,81; p=0,002). Conclusions: . All together we underpin a role for miR-125-3p in leprosy pathogenesis, raising the hypothesis that this miR might have a distinct role in PB and ENL forms, influencing mechanisms such as apoptosis and autophagy according to the local context. A functional study should help to validate the miR-125a-3p as a potential therapeutic target for leprosy treatment.