Analysis of Circulating MicroRNA-500a-3p and TNF-α Expression in Children with Celiac Disease

Abstract

Background: Circulating microRNA-500a-3p (miR-500a-3p) and TNF-α have been proposed as potential biomarkers for celiac disease (CD) in pediatric patients. This study aimed to investigate the expression of these biomarkers and their association with celiac disease pathogenesis. Methods: A case-control study was conducted involving 45 pediatric patients clinically diagnosed with CD (aged 8 months to 12 years) and 45 age-matched healthy controls in Al-Samawa City. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded for both groups. The expression levels of circulating miR-500a-3p and TNF-α were analyzed using the stem-loop RT-qPCR technique. Results: The expression level of miR-500a-3p was significantly elevated in CD patients (7.92 ± 2.76) compared to healthy controls (1.59 ± 0.71, p < 0.001). Similarly, TNF-α expression levels were markedly higher in CD patients (25.67 ± 5.94) than in the control group (2.26 ± 0.91, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that circulating miR-500a-3p and TNF-α hold promise as non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of celiac disease in pediatric patients. Elevated TNF-α levels highlight its role as a pro-inflammatory cytokine in the pathogenesis of celiac disease and its potential as a diagnostic marker. The findings establish a possible link between these biomarkers and CD-related antibody production, underscoring their relevance in the clinical assessment of pediatric celiac disease.