Low Expression and Clinical Value of hsa_circ_0049224 and has_circ_0049220 in Systemic Lupus Erythematous Patients

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to discuss the possible roles and clinical value of 2 circRNAs (hsa_circ_0049224 and has_circ_0049220) in SLE patients.Material/MethodsReverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expressions of hsa_circ_0049224, has_circ_0049220, and DNMT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 18 diagnosed SLE patients and 10 healthy controls.ResultsWe found that the expressions of hsa_circ_0049224 and has_circ_0049220 in healthy control groups were both much higher than those in inactive and active SLE patients. The expression level of DNMT1 is positively correlated with the expressions of hsa_circ_0049224 and has_circ_0049220. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and the expressions of hsa_circ_0049224 and has_circ_0049220. We also found that these 2 circRNAs are associated with some clinical characteristics of SLE.ConclusionsHsa_circ_0049224 and has_circ_0049220 are probable factors involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, and they have potential clinical value in SLE.

Roles of circular RNAs in immune regulation and autoimmune diseases

“…For instance, AKT could coordinate IL-2 signaling and T-cell antigen receptor to hold the expression of adhesion molecules, cytolytic effector molecules, as well as cytokine and chemokine receptors in cytotoxic T cells 76 . Another research showed that hsa_circ_0049224 and has_circ_0049220 were underexpressed in PBMCs of inactive and active SLE patients 77 . Moreover, the levels of these two circRNAs were negatively correlated with SLEDAI and the degree of SLE severity, which indicated that they might be regarded as markers for the activity and severity of SLE.…”

Current Understanding of Circular RNAs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…Zhang et al initially focused on 2 circRNAs (hsa_circ_0049224 and hsa_circ_0049220), which have been demonstrated to be correlated with DNA methylation and the pathological processes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ( 100 ). Subsequently, they found that expression levels of hsa_circ_0049224 and hsa_circ_0049220 were significantly decreased in PBMCs of SLE patients and were negatively correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score ( 91 ). Moreover, the expression levels of these two circRNAs were positively correlated with the expression of DNMT1, a key factor of DNA methylation, which suggests their possible roles in the pathogenesis of SLE.…”

Long Noncoding RNAs and Circular RNAs in Autoimmune Diseases

“…The circRNAs studied, circ_0049224 and circ_0049220, target DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and DNA hypomethylation has been correlated with SLE [ 59 ]. The results showed that the expression level of DNMT1 was positively linked to the expression of the two circRNAs and that these two circRNAs were downregulated in SLE patients [ 103 ]. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the SLE activity and the expressions of circ_0049224 and circ_0049220 [ 103 ].…”

“…The results showed that the expression level of DNMT1 was positively linked to the expression of the two circRNAs and that these two circRNAs were downregulated in SLE patients [ 103 ]. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the SLE activity and the expressions of circ_0049224 and circ_0049220 [ 103 ].…”