miR-889-3p targets SLC35E1 in leprosy: Implications for therapeutic monitoring
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014653
- PMID
- 42640906
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7204216141
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The dynamic change in miR-889-3p expression during multidrug therapy suggests potential utility as a molecular biomarker for monitoring therapeutic response in leprosy. The identified miR-889-3p/SLC35E1 regulatory pathway may inform understanding of host responses to Mycobacterium leprae infection.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study investigated whether miR-889-3p regulates SLC35E1 expression in leprosy and whether this interaction is associated with bacterial burden and therapeutic response.
Study design
Microarray screening followed by qRT-PCR validation was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in skin lesions, serum, and nasal mucosa from multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy patients and healthy controls. Dual-luciferase reporter assays tested the miR-889-3p and SLC35E1 interaction, and immunohistochemistry assessed SLC35E1 protein expression and its correlation with bacterial index.
Population and setting
The study included patients with multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy, as well as healthy controls. Samples were collected from skin lesions, serum, and nasal mucosa.
Main findings
miR-889-3p was consistently upregulated in multibacillary leprosy patients across skin, serum, and nasal mucosa, with levels decreasing significantly after multidrug therapy to approach healthy control levels. Dual-luciferase assays confirmed that miR-889-3p directly targets the 3'UTR of SLC35E1 in a sequence-specific manner. SLC35E1 protein expression in lesions correlated strongly with bacterial index (r = 0.926, p < 0.001).
Public-health relevance
The dynamic change in miR-889-3p expression during multidrug therapy suggests potential utility as a molecular biomarker for monitoring therapeutic response in leprosy. The identified miR-889-3p/SLC35E1 regulatory pathway may inform understanding of host responses to Mycobacterium leprae infection.
Important limitations
This summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata. Full interpretation of study limitations, sample size, generalizability, and clinical applicability requires review of the original paper.
GIDS interpretation
The article was classified under Leprosy and Treatment topics, reflecting its focus on molecular mechanisms and therapeutic monitoring in leprosy. This classification supports discoverability for queries related to leprosy biomarkers and treatment response monitoring.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 5 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.