Assessment of the TGF-β gene and its target miR-1908-5p gene expression and its role in the treatment of beta-thalassemia in Iraqi patients

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Thalassemia is potentially inherited fatal anemia and can cause health problems when left untreated. Beta-thalassemia is the most severe formula of the illness. Transforming growth factor-beta ( TGF-β ) is a cytokine that has multicellular functions. The miRNAs have been confirmed to play important roles in gene expression regulation during the development of a variety of human diseases. In a variety of hematological diseases, miRNAs influence the TGF- β signaling pathway. The etiology of the disease may be supported by the dysregulation of this interaction. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the role of TGF-β and its target miR-1908-5p expression and its effect on the prognosis and treatment of beta-thalassemia (β-thal) in Iraqi patients. PATIENTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: The case–control study encompassed 100 Iraqi individuals, categorized into two groups: Fifty patients diagnosed with β-thal and fifty apparently healthy controls. Blood samples were collected from Baghdad Teaching Hospital at the Medical City in Baghdad from December 2023 to February 2024. Hematological and biochemical parameters were measured. Total RNA was extracted and converted into complementary DNA, finally, to assess the levels of TGF-β and miR-1908-5p gene expression by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The results showed that a decrease in the hemoglobin (Hb) level was significantly correlated with a significant increase in the ferritin level and the white blood cell (WBC) count in thalassemia patients in comparison to healthy controls, with a significant difference ( P < 0.01). The expression of the TGF-β gene was notably lower in thalassemia patients (0.783) compared with control, with an increase in the miR-1908-5p gene expression level (1.431); furthermore, the correlation between them using Spearman’s coefficient was negative with a significant difference of 0.04. CONCLUSION: A low level of Hb in patients acts as a pointer to increase the level of the ferritin and the WBC count. A low level of gene expression of the TGF-β gene targeted by high-level miR-1908-5p gene expression in Iraqi patients with β-thal is considered a good biomarker according to the ROC curve test. It might be possible to regulate TGF-β expression by modifying miR-1908-5p , therefore could improve the effectiveness of gene-based therapies in hematological therapies.