Next generation sequencing (NGS) facilitates quantitative analysis of miRNA expression

Using NGS approach we performed the search of multiple sclerosis-related miRNAs. We used PBMC as an informative and easily accessible biological material. To exclude bias in miRNA expression levels caused by disease modifying therapies, miRNA profiling was performed in treatment-naïve RRMS patients. Taking into account hypothetic gender specificity in disease pathogenesis we compared miRNA expression in RRMS patients and HCs separately for men and women. MiRNA profiling in men identified 32 differentially expressed miRNAs, which passed threshold for multiple corrections and may be attributed to MS-related. At the same time we did not find well-defined MS-specific miRNA expression signatures in women using NGS We performed miRNA profiling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 16 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and 8 healthy controls (HC).