Identification of long non-coding RNAs GAS5, linc0597 and lnc-DC in plasma as novel biomarkers for systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Despite increasing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) widely take part in human diseases, the role of lncRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is largely unknown. In this study, we performed a two-stage study to explore the plasma levels of five lncRNAs (GAS5, linc0949, linc0597, HOTAIRM1 and lnc-DC) and their potential as SLE biomarkers. Compared with healthy controls, plasma levels of GAS5 and lnc-DC were significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) while linc0597 were overexpressed in SLE patients (P < 0.001). When SLE patients were divided into SLE without nephritis and lupus nephritis (LN), the levels of lnc-DC were significantly higher in LN compared with SLE without nephritis (P = 0.018), but no significant difference in levels of GAS5 and linc0597 were found between LN and SLE without nephritis; plasma linc0949 level showed no significant difference in all comparisons. Further evaluation on potential biomarkers showed that GAS5, linc0597 and lnc-DC may specifically identify patients with SLE, the combination of GAS5 and linc0597 provided better diagnostic accuracy; lnc-DC may discriminate LN from SLE without nephritis. In summary, GAS5, linc0597 and lnc-DC in plasma could be potential biomarkers for SLE.

Clinical significance of reduced expression of lncRNA TUG1 in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

“…Hence, ROC curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic potential of TUG1 expression. 35 TUG1 expression in monocytes was found to demonstrate excellent performance regarding diagnosis of SLE and lupus nephritis, to be a potential clinical marker for distinguishing lupus nephritis from SLE. One limitation of this study was that a functional study for TUG1 was not performed.…”

“…In light of the association of TUG1 expression with the deterioration in health of SLE patients, it can be regarded as an indicator of disease progression. Hence, ROC curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic potential of TUG1 expression . TUG1 expression in monocytes was found to demonstrate excellent performance regarding diagnosis of SLE and lupus nephritis, to be a potential clinical marker for distinguishing lupus nephritis from SLE.…”

“…Previous studies showed decreased serum C3 level in SLE patients, particularly in those SLE patients with an active disease status [32][33][34]. Guo-Cui Wu et al also revealed a negative correlation between linc0597 and C3 levels, indicating the overexpressed linc0597 level demonstrated a positive correlation with disease activity 35. These findings suggested that TUG1 level might be associated with the disease activity and severity in SLE.…”

Abnormal Expression of Long Noncoding RNAs in Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Microarray Related Study

“…Considering the potential roles that lncRNAs may have in autoimmune disorders, they have received greater attention in recent years. As a result, specific roles for lncRNAs in autoimmune diseases such as SLE, RA, and SS have been elucidated [20][21][22].…”

“…In a recent study, the role of lncRNAs in the development of autoimmune diseases was highlighted [19]. For example, the lncRNAs, Gas5, Hotair and H19, and Tmevg1, have roles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [20,21], rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [22,23], and Sjögren syndrome (SS) [24], respectively. However, few studies have investigated lncRNAs in ITP.…”