Identification of circular RNAs hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood as novel biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

SummaryCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of RNAs that can be used as biomarkers in clinical blood samples. However, little is known about circRNAs' diagnostic values for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, the hsa_circ_0054189, hsa_circ_0008675, hsa_circ_0082689, hsa_circ_0082688, hsa_circ_0010932, hsa_circ_0002473 and hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood were determined by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). For hsa_circ_0044235, only one abnormal expression circRNAs in peripheral blood was selected as a targeted circRNA to explore the diagnostic value for RA. Our work demonstrated that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood was decreased significantly in RA patients. The hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood from RA patients did not correlate with C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti‐citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) or disease activity score 28 (DAS28). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood has significant value in the diagnosis of RA. The risk score based on hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood also distinguished significantly the patients with RA from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study suggests that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood may be a potential biomarker of patients with RA.

RNA-seq reveals the circular RNA and miRNA expression profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…Little research about the role of circRNAs in RA has been conducted. Several recent studies have shown that hsa circ 0044235, hsa circ RNA 104871 and hsa circ RNA 003524 in PBMCs participate in the pathogenesis of RA and can be used as potential biomarkers of RA by microarray analysis [21,22]. In our study, we successfully explored the circRNAs and miRNAs expression profile in PBMCs of RA patients and healthy people using sequencing technology, then evaluated circRNAs expression and circRNA-miRNA co-expression in RA patients.…”

“…These results were consistent with the RNA-seq. A recent study showed that hsa circ 0044235 in PBMCs may be a potential biomarker of RA patients [21]. Another study suggests that increased expression of circRNAs circRNA 104871, circRNA 003524, circRNA 101873 and circRNA 103047 in PBMC from RA patients may serve as potential biomarkers for RA patient diagnosis [22].…”

Serum PGLYRP‑1 is a highly discriminatory biomarker for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

“…Following the reactions, the Cq values were determined using the fixed threshold settings. The relative expression levels of Pglyrp1 were calculated using the 2 -ΔCq method normalized to the endogenous control, with ΔCt=Ct target -Ct reference (17,18).…”

Expression Profile Analysis of Differentially Expressed Circular RNAs in Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

“…CircRNAs are reproducibly and easily detected in clinical blood samples. Stable and enriched circRNAs have been found in peripheral blood [19,20], as well as blood components, such as exosomes [21], plasma [22], platelets [23], erythrocytes [24], and mononuclear cells [25].…”