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Two major enzymes in the microRNA maturation process, Dicer and Drosha, as well as DGCR8, the assistant of Drosha, function in the microprocessor complex. In this survey, the mRNA expression profiles of Drosha, Dicer, and DGCR8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and healthy controls were measured.

Forty patients with AS and 40 age and gender matched healthy individuals were included in the study. PBMCs were separated, total RNA content of the cells was isolated, and first strand cDNA was synthesized. Quantitative analysis was performed through real-time PCR using the SYBR Green gene expression master mix.

AS cases expressed the Drosha mRNA almost equal to that of healthy controls (Fold Change= –0.94; P= 0.200). However, both Dicer and DGCR8 mRNA expressions were downregulated in patients relative to healthy subjects (Fold Change= –0.54 and –0.60; P= 0.002 and 0.004, respectively).

Our results suggest that downregulation of miRNA maturation components, namely Dicer and DGCR8 may be contributing in the pathogenesis procedure of AS.