MicroRNA-203 Expression as Potential Biomarker for Lupus Nephritis

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Yuswanto Setyawan, Hani Susianti, Hermin Sulistyarti, Matthew Brian Khrisna, Dearikha Karina Mayashinta, Loeki Enggar Fitri, Nur Samsu

2025 International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease Vol. 18 Article Cited by 1 Quartile

Abstract

Introduction and Purpose: Lupus nephritis (LN) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, therefore the discovery of new biomarkers, which are reliable for the diagnosis of NL is necessary. Various studies have reported alteration of some miRNAs expression in LN, that considered as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in LN. MicroRNA-203 has been associated with the development of nephritis in SLE patients, playing an important role in the initiation and progression of the disease, but research on circulating miRNA-203 expression in LN in clinical practice is still very limited. The aim of this study was to prove the role of microRNA-203 in LN. Patients and Methods: Serum was obtained from 40 participants consisting of 20 SLE patients and 20 LN patients. The diagnostic of SLE and LN was based on the ACR 1997 criteria. MicroRNA-203 expression was determined by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Statistical analysis was performed with Mann–Whitney test. Results: The expression of miRNA-203 in the SLE group was 1.66 (0.00–8.64) and in the NL group was 5.18 (0.25–49.84). There were significant differences in microRNA-203 expression between SLE and LN patients (p=0.003). Conclusion: MicroRNA-203 expression might be associated with nephritis manifestations in SLE patients. © 2025 Setyawan et al.

Affiliations

Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia; Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Ramelan Naval Hospital Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia; Department of Clinical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia; Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia