Differential expression of miR-۹۸-۵p and DICER۱ in eutopic versus ectopic endometrium: a diagnostic biomarker signature for endometriosis

Endometriosis is a complex gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, with emerging evidence implicating dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and their biogenesis pathways. This case-control study aimed to investigate the relationship between the expression of miR-۹۸-۵p and its processing enzyme DICER۱ in matched ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues from an Iranian population, a cohort of particular interest due to potential population-specific factors and one not previously studied for this molecular axis. Matched ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues were collected from ۳۰ patients with surgically confirmed endometriosis and compared with endometrial tissues from ۳۵ age-matched controls. Total RNA was extracted, and the expression levels of miR-۹۸-۵p and DICER۱ were quantified using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), complemented by in silico analyses to validate associated molecular pathways. The results demonstrated a significant downregulation of both miR-۹۸-۵p and DICER۱ (P< ۰.۰۰۱) in ectopic tissues compared with eutopic controls, with a strong positive correlation between them (r = ۰.۷۶, P< ۰.۰۰۱). This co-downregulation suggests impaired DICER۱-mediated miRNA processing contributes to miR-۹۸-۵p depletion in endometriotic lesions. The expression profile exhibited strong diagnostic potential, with miR-۹۸-۵p yielding an AUC of ۰.۸۹ in ROC curve analysis, and both molecules showed a significant inverse correlation with disease severity (P< ۰.۰۵). In conclusion, these findings provide novel evidence of a disrupted DICER۱/miR-۹۸-۵p axis in a distinct genetic background, revealing its role in post-transcriptional dysregulation and underscoring its promise as a tissue-based diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for endometriosis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Biomarke ، DICER۱ ، Endometriosis ، Gene expression ، Mir-۹۸-۵p ، miRNA