Association of TNF-α and microRNAs expression with immune cell profiles and kidney function in women with urinary tract infection: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with inflammatory activation involving cytokines and microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), miRNA expression, immune cell profiles, and renal function remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate TNF-α, miR-125, and miR-155 expression in women with UTI and assess their association with immune cell profiles and kidney function.

Methods. This cross-sectional study included 123 women with culture-confirmed UTI and 40 healthy controls. Hematological and biochemical parameters were measured, and expression levels of TNF-α, miR-125, and miR-155 were assessed using qRT-PCR. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate associations between molecular markers, immune cell profiles, and kidney function.

Results. TNF-α, miR-125, and miR-155 expression levels were all significantly higher in UTI patients compared with controls (all p < 0.05). TNF-α expression was positively correlated with miR-155 (r = 0.515, p = 0.01) and miR-125 (r = 0.459, p = 0.024), while a strong correlation was observed between miR-125 and miR-155 (r = 0.734, p < 0.0001). miR-125 was associated with lymphocytes (r = 0.545, p = 0.0058), eosinophils (r = 0.406, p = 0.049), and monocytes (r = 0.406, p = 0.049), while miR-155 was correlated with lymphocytes (r = 0.462, p = 0.023). No significant correlations were found between TNF-α or miRNAs and renal function markers (p > 0.05).

Conclusions. TNF-α is associated with microRNA expression in UTI. microRNAs show stronger relationships with immune cell profiles, while neither TNF-α nor microRNAs is associated with kidney function.