[Expression of MicroRNA-15a in Children with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia and Its Significance].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression of MicroRNA-15a (miR-15a) in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its significance. METHODS: The peripheral blood monomuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated and cultured from ITP patients and healthy volunteers. The expression level of miR-15a was measured by real-time PCR. After miR-15a mimic was transfected into PBMNC, the levels of INF-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The expression of miR-15a was significantly decreased in PBMNC. The production of IFN-γ and IL-2 was dramatically increased, and the level of IL-4, IL-10 was decreased in PBMNC. Moreover, the expression of miR-15a was negatively correlated with IFN-γ and IL-2, and positively with IL-4 and IL-10. Furthermore, the results showed that the overexpression of miR-15a could decrease the production of IFN-γ and IL-2, and increase the production of IL-4 and IL-10. CONCLUSION: miR-15a is significantly down-regulated in PBMNC of children with primary ITP and involved in the regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance. It is suggested that miR-15a may be a potential therapeutic target for ITP.