Background. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory state categorized by a disturbance of immunoregulatory mechanisms. MicroRNA-155 (miRNA-155) has an essential role in regulating gene expression and can mediate the allergic TH2 process. Objective. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of miR-155 as a biomarker in AR and correlate its level with the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and the levels of serum interleukin-4 (IL-4). Methods. This study included 90 children: 45 with pollen-induced AR and 45 healthy controls. Serum miR-155 expression levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Human IL-4 ELIZA kits were used for the semiquantitative detection of the serum levels of IL-4. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the best cutoff values for the studied parameters for the diagnosis of AR. Results. The demographic characteristics of the two groups were matched with respect to age and sex. The AR case group included 23 (51.1%) males and 22 (48.9%) females, while the control group included 24 (53.3%) males and 21 (46.7%) females. The miR-155 level was increased in the serum of children with pollen-induced AR compared with controls (mean difference = 2.8, ). A significant positive correlation between the serum expression level of miR-155 and TNSS in children with AR was detected (r = 0.494, ). However, no significant correlation was identified between the expression of miR-155 and that of IL-4. At a cutoff value of 1.09, the sensitivity of miR-155 as a biomarker for AR was 100%, and the specificity was 71.1%. Conclusion. MiR-155 expression levels were elevated in the serum of AR children. Therefore, miR-155 could be used as a biomarker in AR diagnosis.

中文翻译：

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MicroRNA-155 作为儿童过敏性鼻炎潜在生物标志物的作用

背景。过敏性鼻炎 (AR) 是一种炎症状态，归类为免疫调节机制紊乱。MicroRNA-155 (miRNA-155) 在调节基因表达方面具有重要作用，可以介导过敏性 TH2 过程。目标。在本研究中，我们旨在评估 miR-155 作为 AR 中生物标志物的作用，并将其水平与总鼻症状评分 (TNSS) 和血清白细胞介素 4 (IL-4) 水平相关联。方法. 这项研究包括 90 名儿童：45 名患有花粉诱导的 AR，45 名健康对照。使用定量实时 PCR 测量血清 miR-155 表达水平。人IL-4 ELIZA试剂盒用于半定量检测血清IL-4水平。受试者工作特征 (ROC) 曲线用于确定所研究参数的最佳临界值，用于诊断 AR。结果。两组的人口学特征在年龄和性别方面相匹配。AR病例组包括23名（51.1%）男性和22名（48.9%）女性，而对照组包括24名（53.3%）男性和21名（46.7%）女性。与对照组相比，花粉诱导的 AR 患儿血清中 miR-155 水平升高（平均差异 = 2.8，）。检测到AR患儿血清miR-155表达水平与TNSS呈显着正相关（ r  =0.494，）。然而，在 miR-155 的表达和 IL-4 的表达之间没有发现显着的相关性。在截断值为 1.09 时，miR-155 作为 AR 生物标志物的敏感性为 100%，特异性为 71.1%。结论。AR 儿童血清中 MiR-155 表达水平升高。因此，miR-155可作为AR诊断的生物标志物。