MicroRNA profile in the mesenteric adipose tissue of Crohn's disease patients

• Grant number: 18/05584-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: September 01, 2018 - November 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Immunogenetics
• Principal Investigator: Raquel Franco Leal
• Grantee: Raquel Franco Leal
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Adriana Souza Torsoni ; Licio Augusto Velloso ; Marciane Milanski Ferreira ; Maria de Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/03418-0 - MicroRNA profile in the mesenteric adipose tissue of Crohn's disease patients, BP.TT

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic intestinal disorder with a multifactorial etiology, whose incidence has increased during the last three decades. Intestinal involvement is transmural, so there is a possibility of developing fistulas and strictures. The role of mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) in the development of these complications, as well as in the disease's etiology is not well established. The characteristic macroscopic increase of intestinal MAT near the affected intestinal area, with circumferential involvement of the intestinal loop, was noticed since the first description of CD, but there are few studies that address this issue. In this study, we intend to evaluate MAT samples from 20 patients with ileocecal CD, and from 10 control subjects. Validation of the transcriptional study (RNA-sequencing) will be performed focusing on microRNA expression in a cohort independent of the one in which RNAseq was performed. To achieve this goal, this validation will be performed by RT-PCR. In addition, we will identify the targets of interest of these microRNAs through in silico analysis in a free microRNAs database, miRWalk 2.0. From this analysis, transcripts will be selected and validated by RT-PCR. We will also correlate the findings of microRNA expression with the epidemiological and clinical data of the patients. Thus, this study may identify tissue-specific differences that could be involved in the susceptibility to the disease, and may also identify potential biomarkers and targets of pharmacological agents, individualizing therapies. (AU)