miR-192-5p as a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker for β-Thalassemia and Its Regulatory Mechanism via Targeting BCL11A

To investigate the clinical value of miR-192-5p in β-thalassemia and its regulatory mechanism on BCL11A, a total of 109 patients with β-thal and 110 healthy controls were enrolled. miR-192-5p and BCL11A mRNA levels in peripheral blood were detected by RT-qPCR. Correlations between miR-192-5p and clinical indicators were analyzed via the Pearson coefficient. ROC curves evaluated their diagnostic value. Dual-luciferase reporter, RIP, and cell transfection assays verified the targeting relationship between miR-192-5p and BCL11A. miR-192-5p was upregulated in β-thal patients, with an AUC of 0.894 for distinguishing patients from controls. It was higher in the high HbF group than the low HbF group, and the AUC of 0.822 for subgroup distinction. miR-192-5p negatively correlated with MCV, MCH, HbA, and positively with HbF. BCL11A was downregulated in patients and negatively correlated with miR-192-5p. miR-192-5p targeted BCL11A 3'UTR to inhibit its expression. miR-192-5p is a potential diagnostic biomarker for β-thal and its targeted regulation of BCL11A provides new insights for therapy.