Unraveling the Role of THRIL/miR-137 in Fine-Tuning the Immunological Transcriptional Loop STAT4/STAT6/GATA3 in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications on Neurological Complications and Disease Subtypes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease associated with neurological impairments. The study aimed to evaluate the role of the noncoding RNAs THRIL/miR-137 in MS pathogenesis via studying their effect on the immunological transcriptional loop STAT4/STAT6/GATA3, and their association with MS-related neurological impairments and disease subtypes. Overall, 148 participants were included: 74 MS patients and 74 matched healthy controls. Gene expressions of THRIL, miR-137, STAT4, STAT6, and GATA3 were assessed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The potential protein interaction networks of these genes were predicted using bioinformatic analysis. Compared with the control group, THRIL, STAT4, and GATA3 were upregulated, whereas miR-137 and STAT6 were downregulated in MS patients. Furthermore, THRIL, STAT4, and GATA3 were upregulated, while miR-137 and STAT6 were downregulated in MS patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 3.5, relative to patients with EDSS < 3.5. Similarly, THRIL, STAT4, and GATA3 were upregulated, while miR-137 and STAT6 were downregulated in Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) patients relative to Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). Notably, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that THRIL, miR-137, and STAT4/STAT6/GATA3 can be used in differentiating between MS patients with neurological impairments as well as MS subtypes. Significantly, logistic analysis revealed that THRIL, miR-137, and STAT4/STAT6/GATA3 could act as predictors to diagnose MS and the associated neurological impairments. In conclusion, the study demonstrated for the first time the role of THRIL/miR-137 in regulating the immunological transcriptional loop STAT4/STAT6/GATA3, which may contribute to neurological complications. These findings provide insights into MS pathogenesis and highlight the potential of these genes as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.