Approximately 2% of the human genome encodes proteins, while the remaining non-coding regions 19 may play critical roles in human diseases. Among these, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are 20 emerging as key regulators of gene expression through epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-21 transcriptional mechanisms, and may serve as potential biomarkers. In this pilot study, we investigated 22 lncRNAs in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients undergoing a six-week intensive multidisciplinary 23 rehabilitation program. Plasma samples from 26 PD patients were collected before (T0) and after (T1) 24 the intervention. Array profiling of 84 inflammation- and immunity-related lncRNAs revealed that 25 86% were differentially expressed post-intervention, with 55 upregulated (fold change >2) and 17 26 downregulated. Quantitative PCR confirmed significant upregulation of MALAT1, TUG1, and XIST 27 at T1 (p < 0.05). Plasma IL-1β levels were also significantly reduced after rehabilitation (p = 0.01). A 28 2 significant reduction in UPDRS-III scores was observed at T1 (p = 0.031), reflecting improved motor 29 function; however, no significant correlation was found between clinical changes and molecular 30 findings. These preliminary, hypothesis-generating results suggest that rehabilitation may modulate 31 immune-related lncRNAs and inflammatory markers in PD, providing insights into their regulatory 32 roles in neuroinflammation and potential as biomarkers of response to rehabilitative interventions.

IntroductionNeuroinflammation, which is driven by microglial activation, contributes to neurodegeneration. The myokine irisin exerts anti-inflammatory effects, potentially through microRNA-mediated regulation of inflammasome components. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely defined. In this in vitro study we investigated whether irisin attenuates the β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced activation of human microglia via miR-451a-, miR-223-3p-, and miR-7-5p-dependent modulation of NLRP3-related genes.MethodsFor this aim, human immortalized microglia (hTERT) were LPS primed and Aβ1-42, stimulated in the presence or absence of irisin. The expression of NLRP3, TLR4, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, PYCARD, and selected microRNAs (miR-451a, miR-223-3p, and miR-7-5p) was quantified by digital droplet PCR. TLR4 expression in hTERT cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and intracellular ASC speck formation with NLRP3 colocalization and NF-κB nuclear translocation was measured by imaging flow cytometry. Cytokine release was measured in the supernatants using ELISA. Loss of function assays were performed in hTERT cells transfected with either the miR-451a inhibitor or scrambled molecules.Results and discussionIrisin treatment was associated with reduced Aβ1-42-induced microglial activation, as showed by decreased TLR4 expression, reduced markers of NLRP3 inflammasome activation (including ASC-speck formation, gene and protein expression), and NF-kB nuclear translocation. This effect was accompanied by the upregulation of miR-451a and miR-7-5p and the downregulation of miR-223-3p expression. miR-451a inhibition attenuated the irisin-associated anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting a contributory role for miR-451a in the modulation of TLR4/NLRP3 pathway in this in vitro model. To summarize, this work showed that, in an in vitro model of Aβ1-42-activated human microglia, irisin is associated with modulation of microRNA expression and NLRP3 inflammasome-related pathways. These results provide mechanistic insight into potential interaction between exercise-related factors and microglial inflammatory responses; their possible relevance to in vivo conditions and disease contexts will nevertheless clearly requires further investigation.

Background: Inflammasomes regulate the activation of caspases resulting in inflammation; inflammasome activation is dysregulated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and plays a role in the pathogenesis of this condition. Glibenclamide, an anti-inflammatory drug, could be an interesting way to down-modulate neuroinflammation. Methods: In this pilot study we verified with ex vivo experiments whether a glibenclamide-loaded nanovector (GNV) could reduce the NLRP3-inflammasome cascade in cells of AD patients. Monocytes isolated from healthy controls (HC) and AD patients were cultured in medium, alone or stimulated with LPS + nigericin in presence/absence of GNV. ASC-speck positive cells and inflammasome-related genes, proteins, and miRNAs expressions were measured. The polymorphisms of ApoE (Apolipoprotein E), specifically rs7412 and rs429358, as well as those of NLRP3, namely rs35829419, rs10733113, and rs4925663, were also investigated. Results: Results showed that ASC-speck+ cells and Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 production was significantly reduced (p < 0.005 in all cases) by GNV in LPS + nigericin-stimulated cells of both AD and HC. Notably, the NLRP3 rs10733113 AG genotype was associated with excessive inflammasome-related gene and protein expression. GNV significantly down-regulates inflammasome activation in primary monocytes, at least at protein levels, and its efficacy seems to partially depend on the presence of the NLRP3 rs10733113 genotype. Conclusions: All together, these results showed that GNV is able to dampen inflammation and NLRP-3 inflammasome activation in an ex vivo monocyte model, suggesting a possible role for GNV in controlling AD-associated neuroinflammation.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a leading cause of mortality and disability, recognizes a primary, immediate injury due to external forces, and a secondary phase that includes inflammation that can lead to complications such as the post-traumatic confusional state (PTCS), potentially impacting long-term neurological recovery. An earlier identification of these complications, including PTCS, upon admission to intensive rehabilitation units (IRU) could possibly allow the design of personalized rehabilitation protocols in the immediate post-acute phase of moderate-to-severe TBI. The present study aims to identify potential biomarkers to distinguish between TBI patients with and without PTCS. We analyzed cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neuroinflammation (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10 cytokines), neuroendocrine function (norepinephrine, NE, epinephrine, E, dopamine), and neurogenesis (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, GDNF, insuline-like growth factor 1, IGF-1, nerve growth factor, NGF, brain-derived growth factor, BDNF) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), comparing results between 29 TBI patients (17 with PTCS and 12 non-confused) and 34 healthy controls (HC), and correlating results with an actigraphy-derived sleep efficiency parameter. In TBI patients compared to HC, serum concentration of (1) pro-inflammatory IL-1β cytokine was significantly increased while that of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine was significantly decreased; (2) NE, E and DA were significantly increased; (3) GDNF, NGF and IGF-1 were significantly increased while that of BDNF was significantly decreased. Importantly, IL-10 serum concentration was significantly lower in PTCS than in non-confused patients, correlating positively with an improved actigraphy-derived sleep efficiency parameter. An anti-inflammatory environment may be associated with better prognosis after TBI.

BackgroundInnate immune responses against infectious agents can act as triggers of inflammatory diseases. On the other hand, various pathogens have developed mechanisms for the evasion of the immune response, based on an inhibition of innate immunity and inflammatory responses. Inflammatory diseases could thus be controlled through the administration of pathogens or pathogen-derived molecules, capable of interfering with the mechanisms at the basis of inflammation. In this framework, the NLRP3 inflammasome is an important component in innate antimicrobial responses and a major player in the inflammatory disease. Parasites of the genus Leishmania are master manipulators of innate immune mechanisms, and different species have been shown to inhibit inflammasome formation. However, the exploitation of pathogenic Leishmania species as blockers of NLRP3-based inflammatory diseases poses safety concerns.MethodsTo circumvent safety issues associated with pathogenic parasites, we focused on Leishmania tarentolae, a species of Leishmania that is not infectious to humans. Because NLRP3 typically develops in macrophages, in response to the detection and engulfment microorganisms, we performed our experiments on a monocyte-macrophage cell line (THP-1), either wild type or knockout for ASC, a key component of NLRP3 formation, with determination of cytokines and other markers of inflammation.ResultsL. tarentolae was shown to possess the capability of dampening the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the consequent expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, with minor differences compared to effects of pathogenic Leishmania species.ConclusionThe non-pathogenic L. tarentolae appears a promising pro-biotic microbe with anti-inflammatory properties or a source of immune modulating cellular fractions or molecules, capable of interfering with the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

The hygiene hypothesis suggests that certain aspects of modern life are linked to lower rates of exposure to pathogens and lower immune-system stimulation, being in turn positively related to Alzheimer’s-disease (AD) risk. Amazonian tribes exhibit an exceptionally high prevalence of infections in individuals of all ages resulting in a better-regulated degree of inflammation and improved cognitive functions after infection with the high parasite like Leishmanias (L). These findings suggest that a highly pathogenic environment and chronic infections might be favorable to shaping ever-lasting immune responses, including against neurodegenerative conditions. Typical parasitic infections among indigenous included spp, protozoan parasites recognized by the same receptors that sense misfolded-Aß in microglia; it is followed by subsequent regulation of the NLRP3, a cytosolic multiprotein complex mainly expressed in myeloid cells and composed of the Nod-like receptor (NLR), the adaptor apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), and the pro-caspase1, leading to the cleavage of bioactive IL1ß and IL18. Herein we investigated a possible connection between L tarantulae, nonpathogenic for humans, isolated from the lizards Tarentolae annularis and Tarentolae mauritanica to reduce IL1ß, IL18, Caspase1 release and ASC-speck formation. in vitro model of THP1 wild-type and ASC-knockout derived-Macrophage were cultured in unstimulated or Lypolisaccaride and Aß treatment post L tarantulae (Lt-p10)(10 parasites/cell) infection. L phagocytosis were quantified by confocal mycroscopy, cytokines production by ELLA and ASC-speck formation and NLRP3 by AMNIS FlowSight. ASC-speck formation as well as IL18 and caspase1 were significant (p<0.05)downregulated in LPS+Aß macrophages wild-type post L-infection compare to unstimulated cells; no significant differences were found for: i)IL1ß production on supernatants of cells; and ii)NLRP3 florecent-mean between cell wild-type and ASC-knockout. L is able to modulate the immune response in vertebrates, suppressing the inflammatory response, and allowing the parasites to survive and replicate in phagocytic cells of our immune system, such as in macrophages. Given this ability, one can imagine exploiting this effect of damping immune response to ameliorate or cure those diseases in which inflammation plays a key role or it is one of the major drivers, such as AD.

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia; its key pathological findings include the deposition of extracellular-neurotoxic-plaques composed of amyloid-beta (Ab). AD-pathogenesis involves mechanisms that operate outside the brain, and new researches indicate that peripheral inflammation is an early event in the disease. Herein, we focus on a receptor known as triggering-receptor-expressed-on-myeloid-cells2 (TREM2), which promotes the optimal immune cells function required to attenuate AD-progression and is, therefore, a potential target as peripheral diagnostic and prognostic-biomarker for Alzheimer's Disease. The objective of this exploratory study was to analyze: (1) soluble-TREM2 (sTREM2) plasma and cerebrospinal fluid concentration, (2) TREM2-mRNA, (3) the percentage of TREM2-expressing monocytes, and (4) the concentration of miR-146a-5p and miR-34a-5p suspected to influence TREM2 transcription. Experiments were performed on PBMC collected by 15AD patients and 12age-matched healthy controls that were unstimulated or treated in inflammatory (LPS) conditions and Ab42 for 24 h; Aβ42-phagocytosis was also analyzed by AMNIS FlowSight. Results although preliminary, due to limitations by the small sample-size, showed that in AD compared to HC: TREM2 expressing monocytes were reduced, plasma sTREM2 concentration and TREM2-mRNA were significantly upregulated and Ab42-phagocytosis was diminished (for all p < 0.05). miR-34a-5p expression was reduced (p = 0.02) as well in PBMC of AD, and miR-146 was only observed in AD cells (p = 0.0001).

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in response to either exogenous (PAMPs) or endogenous (DAMPs) stimuli results in the production of IL-18, caspase-1 and IL-1β. These cytokines have a beneficial role in promoting inflammation, but an excessive activation of the inflammasome and the consequent constitutive inflammatory status plays a role in human pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Autophagic removal of NLRP3 inflammasome activators can reduce inflammasome activation and inflammation. Likewise, inflammasome signaling pathways regulate autophagy, allowing the development of inflammatory responses but preventing excessive and detrimental inflammation. Nanotechnology led to the development of liposome engineered nanovectors (NVs) that can load and carry drugs. We verified in an in vitro model of AD-associated inflammation the ability of Glibenclamide-loaded NVs (GNVs) to modulate the balance between inflammasome activation and autophagy. Human THP1dM cells were LPS-primed and oligomeric Aß-stimulated in the presence/absence of GNVs. IL-1β, IL-18 and activated caspase-1 production was evaluated by the Automated Immunoassay System (ELLA); ASC speck formation (a marker of NLRP3 activation) was analyzed by FlowSight Imaging flow-cytometer (AMNIS); the expression of autophagy targets was investigated by RT-PCR and Western blot (WB); and the modulation of autophagy-related up-stream signaling pathways and Tau phosphorylation were WB-quantified. Results showed that GNVs reduce activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and prevent the Aß-induced phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, and p70S6 kinases, potentiating autophagic flux and counteracting Tau phosphorylation. These preliminary results support the investigation of GNVs as a possible novel strategy in disease and rehabilitation to reduce inflammasome-associated inflammation.

Introduction:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is accompanied by complex immune alterations and inflammation, and the possible role played by Natural Killer (NK) in such alterations is only barely understood.Methods:To address this question we analysed activating and inhibitory NK receptors, as well as NK cells phenotype and function in a group of mothers of children who developed ASD (ASD-MO; N=24) comparing results to those obtained in mothers of healthy children who did not develop (HC-MO; N=25).Results:Results showed that in ASD-MO compared to HC-MO: 1) NK cells expressing the inhibitory receptor ILT2 are significantly decreased; 2) the activating HLA-G14bp+ polymorphism is more frequently observed and is correlated with the decrease of ILT2-expressing cells; 3) the CD56bright and CD56dim NK subsets are increased; 4) IFNγ and TNF production is reduced; and 5) perforin- and granzymes-releasing NK cells are increased even in unstimulated conditions and could not be upregulated by mitogenic stimulation.Discussion:Results herein reinforce the hypothesis that ASD relatives present traits similar to, but not as severe as the defining features of ASD (Autism endophenotype) and identify a role for NK cells impairment in generating the inflammatory milieu that is observed in ASD.

To explore the effects of SARS-CoV-2-mRNA vaccines on innate immune responses we enrolled 58 individuals who received 3 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in a longitudinal study; 45 of these individuals had never been SARS-CoV-2 infected. Results showed that vaccination significantly increased: 1) classical and intermediate inflammatory monocytes, 2) CD56bright, CD56dim, and CD56dim/CD16dim NK cells, and 3) IFN-γ+ ;production as well as perforin and granzyme content by NK cells. Vaccination also reduced expression of the NK inhibitory receptor ILT-2, increasing that of the stimulatory molecule 2DS2. These effects were long-lasting and were boosted by every vaccine dose. Notably, ILT-2 expressing NK cells were reduced even more robustly in COVID-19-recovereed vaccines. BNT162b1 mRNA vaccine is known to induce potent adaptive immune responses; results herein show its ability to modulate innate immune responses as well, offering further support to the indication to proceed with worldwide vaccination efforts to end the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Natalizumab (NTZ) can reactivate human polyomavirus John Cunningham polyomavirus (JCPyV) latent infection and lead to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). NTZ modulates the expression of microRNA-126-3p (miR-126-3p) and its target genes, Spi-B, POU2AF1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1); Spi-B protein binds the JCPyV regulatory region, initiating early gene transcription. This paper is aimed to evaluate the miR-126-3p and soluble (s)VCAM-1 concentration, Spi-B/POU2AF1 gene expression, and JCPyV activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) before and during 2-years NTZ. Serum miR-126-3p and sVCAM-1 concentration was measured before NTZ and after 1, 12, and 24 months of treatment in 22 MS subjects, 1 patient who developed PML, and 29 healthy controls (HCs). The Spi-B and POU2AF1 expression in blood was analyzed at baseline and at month 24 in 13 patients with MS; results were clusterized based on JCPyV activity. miR-126-3p was significantly downregulated in MS before and during NTZ but was greatly increased in the PML patient. sVCAM-1 concentration was comparable in MS and HCs, and was reduced by NTZ in MS and PML. Spi-B/POU2AF1 expression was significantly increased in MS at baseline and was upregulated by NTZ, particularly in JCPyV-infected patients in whom JCPyV reactivation was detected. Taken together, the results suggest that the modulation of the miR-126-3p/POU2AF1/Spi-B axis associates with JCPyV activity in NTZ-treated patients with MS.

This study aimed to investigate if rehabilitation could down-regulated sarcopenia-associated inflammation by modulating the crosstalk between the neuroendocrine and immune systems, with the aim of ameliorating quality of life of sarcopenic subjects. A total of 60 sarcopenic patients (49 females and 11 males; median age 74.5, interquartile range 71–79), undergoing a personalized rehabilitation program, have been recruited and subjected to: (1) functional and physical evaluation (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Barthel Index and Tinetti Test); (2) pro-inflammatory IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, and anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines plasmatic level measures; and (3) norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin neurotransmitter level evaluation at time of enrollment (T0) and once rehabilitation was concluded (1 month, T1). Rehabilitation combined a balance and strength training program with two daily sessions that were fine-tuned and personalized according to the ability of the patient. The results showed a significant increase at T1 in the plasmatic levels of IL-10 (p = 0.018) and of norepinephrine (p = 0.016)), whereas the concentration of IL-18 was significantly reduced (p = 0.012). Notably, changes in norepinephrine were positively correlated with clinical improvements (Tinetti and Barthel scores, p ≤ 0.0001; SPPB scores, p = 0.0002). These results show that efficient rehabilitation induces a reduction of inflammation, suggesting that this effect could be mediated by a modulation of the neuro-immune axis that results in an increase of norepinephrine.

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex results in the production of IL-18, Caspase-1 and IL-1β. These cytokines have a beneficial role in promoting inflammation, but an excessive activation of the inflammasome and the consequent constitutive inflammatory status is a negative factor in human pathologies including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). MicroRNAs (miR-NAs) target the 3′UTR region of NLRP3, preventing the activation of the inflammasome and inhibiting cytokine production. Because Stavudine (D4T), an antiretroviral drug, was recently shown to reduce inflammasome activation, we verified whether its effect is mediated by miR-7-5p, miR-22-3p, miR-30e-5p and miR-223-3p: miRNAs that bind the NLRP3-mRNA-UTR region and interfere with protein translation, reducing NLRP3 activation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of twenty AD patients and ten sex-matched Healthy Controls (HC) were stimulated with Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)+Amyloid-beta (Aβ42) in the absence/presence of D4T. Expression of genes within the inflammasome complex and of miRNAs was evaluated by RT-PCR; cytokines and caspase-1 production was measured by ELISA. Results have shown that: NLRP3, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 expression, as well as IL-18, IL-1β and caspase-1 production, were significantly augmented (p < 0.05) in LPS+Aβ42-stimulated PBMCs of AD patients compared to HC. D4T reduced the expression of inflammasome genes and cytokine production (p < 0.005). miR-7-5p and miR-223-3p expression was significantly increased in LPS+Aβ42-stimulated PBMCs of AD patients (p < 0.05), and it was reduced by D4T in AD alone. In conclusion: miR-223-3p and mir-7-5p expression is increased in AD, but this does not result in down-regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and of IL-1β and IL-18 production. D4T increased miRNA expression in HC but had an opposite effect in AD, suggesting that miRNA regulatory mechanisms are altered in AD.

IL-18, Caspase-1 and IL-1β release by immune cells is a predominant feature during NLRP3 inflammasome-complex activation. Although these cytokines have a beneficial role in promoting inflammation and eliminating infectious pathogens, in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) the involvement of inflammasome with a consequent constitutive inflammatory status contribute to disease progression and severity. The present study aimed to investigated the role of Stavudine (DT4), a commonly drug used as antiretroviral therapy, as inflammasome-inhibitor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of AD patients (n=20) and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) (n=20) cultured with Lypopolisaccaride (LPS)+Amyloid-beta (Aβ42) with/without D4T; in addition D4T effect to the transcriptional control of inflammasome gene expression microRNA-mediated was also evaluated. In particular mir-223 specificity was shown to targets the 3'UTR region of NLRP3 and prevents the accumulation of the protein and inhibits IL-1β production. Gene-expression of inflammasome pathway and mir-223 was evaluated by RT-PCR analysis; consequent cytokines and caspase-1production were detected by ELISA. Comparing AD vs HC, results shown increase of NLRP3, ASC, IL-1β, IL-18 gene expression and inflammatory cytokines, IL-18 and Il-1b and caspase-1 in LPS+Ab42 stimulated PBMC from AD patients (p < 0.05); the addition of D4T to cell cultures effects a down-regulation of both NLRP3 and all the genes related to the inflammasoma-complex and protein in AD and HC as well (p < 0.005 LPS+Aβ42 vs LPS+Aβ42+D4T). Also, D4T regulates mir-223 expression: in AD patients no significant results were obtained when PBMC were treated with stavudine, otherwise was shown an increase of miR-223 in HC (p < 0.05) suggesting a negative feedback that blocks the activation of the NLRP3 only in HC. If the inflammasome activity is driving neuroinflammation, then its inhibition (via specific miRNA and/or D4T) could be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease.

MiR-223-3p is involved in the regulation of a broad range of cellular processes and in many types of pathological processes as cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. MiR-223-3p has been indicated as negative regulator of NLRP3 protein, a key protein of inflammasome. The chronic inflammasome activation, an underlying feature of neurodegenerative disorders, is induced by misfolded protein aggregates, including amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein, resulting in pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and propagating of neuroinflammation. The aim of the study was to analyze whether circulatory miR-223-3p could be used as biomarker in neurodegeneration and to clarify its possible relationship with inflammasome activation. miR-223-3p concentration was evaluated in serum of Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and healthy controls (HC). Compared to HC, miR-223-3p serum concentration was reduced in MCI and AD, but up-regulated in PD (p < 0.0001), and it decreased progressively from MCI to moderate (p < 0.0001) to severe AD (p = 0.0016). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that miR-223-3p concentration discriminates between AD, PD and MCI vs. HC, as well as between AD and PD. miR-223-3p serum concentration discriminates between AD/MCI and PD, suggesting that this molecule could be a potential non-invasive biomarker for differential diagnosis and prognosis of these neurodegenerative conditions.

pram. Furthermore, SI reduced the levels of BDNF, serine473-phosphorylated Akt (active form) and serine-9-phosphorylated GSK-3b (inactive form) with no significant changes in the levels of total GSK-3b and Akt in the dorsal hippocampus, but not in the posterior cingulate. Conclusions:Our results suggest that decreased synaptic plasticity in cognition-associated regions might contribute to SI-induced cognitive deficits, and citalopram could ameliorate these deficits by promoting synaptic plasticity mainly in the prefrontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus and ventral hippocampus. The BDNF/Akt/GSK-3b pathway plays an important role in regulating synaptic plasticity in SI rats.

Here we describe a simple approach for the simultaneous detection of multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) using a single nanostructured reagent as surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) enhancer and without using enzymatic reactions, sequence specific enhancers or multiple enhancing steps as normally reported in similar studies. The strategy involves the preparation and optimisation of neutravidin-coated gold nanospheres (nGNSs) functionalised with a previously biotinylated antibody (Ab) against DNA/RNA hybrids. The Ab guarantees the recognition of any miRNA sequence adsorbed on a surface properly functionalised with different DNA probes; at the same time, gold nanoparticles permit to detect this interaction, thus producing enough SPRi signal even at a low ligand concentration. After a careful optimisation of the nanoenhancer and after its characterisation, the final assay allowed the simultaneous detection of four miRNAs with a limit of detection (LOD) of up to 0.5 pM (equal to 275 attomoles in 500 μL) by performing a single enhancing injection. The proposed strategy shows good signal specificity and permits to discriminate wild-type, single- and triple-mutated sequences much better than non-enhanced SPRi. Finally, the method works properly in complex samples (total RNA extracted from blood) as demonstrated by the detection of four miRNAs potentially related to multiple sclerosis used as case study. This proof-of-concept study confirms that the approach provides the possibility to detect a theoretically unlimited number of miRNAs using a simple protocol and an easily prepared enhancing reagent, and may further facilitate the development of affordable multiplexing miRNA screening for clinical purposes.

The etiopathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is believed to include genetic and environmental factors. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, in particular,  are associated with disease susceptibility, whereas Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection has long been suspected to play a role in disease pathogenesis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate correlations between HLA alleles and EBV infection in MS.

The neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) is a fundamental protein in cell–cell interaction and in cellular developmental processes, and its dysregulation is involved in a number of diseases including multiple sclerosis. Studies in rats suggest that the modulation of NCAM1 expression is regulated by miRNA-572, but no data are available confirming such interaction in the human system. We analyzed whether this is the case using a human oligodendroglial cell line (MO3.13). MO3.13 cells were transfected with miRNA-572 mimic and inhibitor separately; NCAM1 mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed at different time points after transfection. Results indicated that NCAM1 expression is increased after transfection with miRNA-572 inhibitor, whereas it is decreased after transfection with the mimic (p < 0.005). The interaction between NCAM1 and miRNA-572 was subsequently confirmed in a Vero cell line that does not express NCAM1, by luciferase assay after transfection with NCAM1. These results confirm that miRNA-572 regulates NCAM1 and for the first time demonstrate that this interaction regulates NCAM1 expression in human cells. Data herein also support the hypothesis that miRNA-572 is involved in diseases associated with NCAM1 deregulation, suggesting its possible use as a biomarker in these diseases.