Expression of disease-related miRNAs in white-matter lesions of progressive multiple sclerosis brains.

Background: MicroRNA (miRNA) expression in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has been correlated with white matter (WM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. The expression levels and cellular specificity of the target genes of these miRNAs are unknown in MS brain.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze and validate the expression of miRNAs, previously reported as dysregulated in sera of MS patients, in white-matter lesions (WMLs) of progressive MS brains.