Association of miR-10a expression and its rs3809783 polymorphism with postoperative incisional pain via Bcl-6/Tfh targeting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-10a and its rs3809783 polymorphism in postoperative incisional pain among patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (ACC-LC). Levels of miR-10a and immune markers (CD68, CD19, CD3, T-bet, GATA-3, IL-17A, Bcl-6) were measured in gallstone mucosal tissue, and genotyping was performed via PCR and sequencing. An incisional pain mouse model was used for mechanistic exploration. The results showed that miR-10a expression was decreased in ACC-LC patients compared with controls and was negatively correlated with pain intensity. Patients carrying the rs3809783 AT genotype exhibited lower miR-10a levels and higher pain scores than AA carriers. Among the elevated immune markers, only Bcl-6/Tfh was associated with pain severity. Further analysis confirmed Bcl-6 as a direct target of miR-10a, with the A→T substitution at rs3809783 enhancing Bcl-6-mediated Tfh polarization. This genotype was also correlated with longer anal exhaust time, higher inflammatory markers, and more complications. In conclusion, miR-10a and its rs3809783 polymorphism may serve as biomarkers for postoperative pain in ACC-LC by regulating the Bcl-6/Tfh pathway.