The Role of Micro-RNA 466i on Vaso-Occlusive Complications of Sickle Cell Anaemia

Abstract

Vaso-occlusion in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is mediated via increased expression of adhesion molecules. Micro-RNA 466i up regulates the expression of interleukin-10 and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the complications in SCA. We sought to investigate the relationship between changes in the level of micro-RNA 466i and the frequency of vaso-occlusive complications in SCA patients. Red blood cells were lysed using ammonium chloride. The resulting white blood cell pellets were lysed in guanidiumisothiocyanate (GITC) lyses buffer. From the GITC lysate, total RNA was extracted. Thereafter, the amount of micro-RNA 466i was quantified. There were no relationships between microRNA 466i and the frequency of complications in SCA patients. (p=0.066) There was also no significant difference in the levels of micro-RNA 466i between patients who had vaso-occlusive complications and those that did not.(p=0.9307) Micro-RNA 466i increased with age (p=0.03) but there was no significant difference between the males and the females patients.(p= 0.370) Micro-RNA 466i (a pro-inflammatory nucleotide) play little or no role in the pathogenesis of vaso-occlusive complications in SCA. Its assay in this group of patients may is not useful in the overall management of these patients.