Increased plasma miR-24 and miR-191 levels in patients with severe atopic dermatitis: Possible involvement of platelet activation

Background: Platelets are involved in the pathomechanisms of atopic dermatitis (AD). This study aimed to elucidate the levels of platelet-related miRNAs, (miR-24 and miR-191) in the plasma of AD patients and their relationships with the disease severity and laboratory data. Methods: miRNAs were detected in the subjects plasma using specifically primed quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The patients with severe AD had significantly higher plasma miR-24 or miR-191 levels than the patients with mild AD, the urticaria patients, and the healthy volunteers. The plasma miR-24 and miR-191 levels of the AD patients were correlated with their serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine levels. In addition, plasma miR-24 and miR-191 levels were correlated with their plasma levels of platelet factor 4 and β-thromboglobulin. Conclusion: Our findings imply that miR-24 and miR-191 may be involved in the pathomechanisms responsible for the worsening of AD, possibly through their effects on platelet activation.