Micro RNA 499 gene expression and interleukin 17 in Egyptian patients with Behçet’s disease

Abstract Background High levels of interleukin 17 are expressed in active Behcet’s disease (BD) patients. High miRNA-499 relative expression is known to be associated with vascular manifestations and aneurysms in BD. Aim of the work To detect miRNA-499 relative expression and interleukin 17 serum levels in BD patients and find their association to clinical characteristics and disease activity. Patients and methods Blood samples were obtained from 40 Egyptian BD patients and 40 matched controls. The BD current activity form (BDCAF) was estimated. Relative expression of miRNA-499 was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum IL-17 was also measured in by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The mean age of the patients was 34.4 ± 10.9 years, disease duration was 8.9 ± 0.8 years and age at onset was 25.5 ± 7.2 years and they were 33 males and 7 females. All patients had oral ulcers, 85% had genital ulcers and 75% had ocular manifestations. The mean BDCAF was 1.54 ± 1.78. Levels of miRNA-499 relative expression were significantly higher in BD cases versus controls (4.2 ± 2.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3ΔΔCt respectively; p  Conclusion Micro RNA-499 relative expression and IL17 levels were significantly higher in BD patients compared to the controls.