en Molecular & Cellular Immunology Molecular & Cellular Immunology Original Article Original Article MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated as regulatory molecules that could play a considerable role in the pathogenesis of different diseases including asthma. This work aims at exploring the role of miR-146a and miR-106b in the pathogenesis of asthma and their association with asthma severity, IgE, and inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic children. Thirty asthmatic children and twenty age-matched healthy children aged 4-17 years old were enrolled. Expression of plasma miR-146a and miR-106b was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Plasma levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were assessed using ELISA. Lung functions were measured by Spirometry. MiR-146a and miR-106b were significantly over-expressed in asthmatic children compared to healthy children. A significant positive correlation between total IgE and both miR-146a and miR-106b was found while no significant correlation could be detected between these miRNAs and asthma severity in asthmatic children. Plasma levels of IL-5 and IL-13 were non-significantly higher in asthmatic children compared to healthy children, and there was no significant correlation between them and both miR-146a and miR-106b expressions in the asthmatic children.  The aberrant expression of immune-related miRNAs (miR-146a and miR-106b) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) among asthmatic children suggest their probable role in asthma pathogenesis. Asthma, microRNAs, cytokines, children, IL-5, IL-13 246 254 http://ijmcmed.org/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2996-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Hala Gouda Elnady hala_elnady4@yahoo.com 100319475328460019177 100319475328460019177 No Department of Child Health, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Egypt. Lobna Sayed Sherif lobnasherif2014@gmail.com 100319475328460019178 100319475328460019178 No Department of Child Health, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Egypt. Naglaa Mohamed Kholoussi nkholoussi@gmail.com 100319475328460019179 100319475328460019179 No Immunogenetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Resrearch Center, Egypt. Mona Ali Azzam azzamm@mcmaster.ca 100319475328460019180 100319475328460019180 No Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt; McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. Ahmed Rashad Foda a_foda@yahoo.com 100319475328460019181 100319475328460019181 No Department of Child Health, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Egypt. Iman Helwa helwa1971@yahoo.com 100319475328460019182 100319475328460019182 No Immunogenetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Resrearch Center, Egypt. Rania Nabil Sabry rania.n.sabry@gmail.com 100319475328460019183 100319475328460019183 No Department of Child Health, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Egypt. Eman Eissa emanessa82@yahoo.com 100319475328460019184 100319475328460019184 Yes Immunogenetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Resrearch Center, Egypt. Reham Faisal Fahmy Reham.dodo2@gmail.com 100319475328460019185 100319475328460019185 No Department of Child Health, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Egypt.