Expression of prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin) receptor in blood of migraine patients: A potential biomarker

BACKGROUND: Migraine is the most common chronic neurological disorders that may be associated with vasodilatation. According to the role of prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin) receptor (PTGIR) in migraine as a receptor, which acts in vasodilatation, we decided to study the changes of PTGIR expression in migraine patients in relation to a suitable control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted mRNA from lymphocytes of 50 cases and 50 controls was used to synthesize cDNA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed, and the data were analyzed. Our results show that PTGIR mRNA expression in cases was significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.010). RESULTS: In conclusion, mRNA expression of PTGIR in the blood of people with migraines could be considered as a biomarker. CONCLUSION: In addition, repression of PTGIR gene expression by methods such as using siRNA is probably suitable for therapy of migraine patients.