LncRNA Expression Profiles in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Emerging Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two common multisystem autoimmune diseases that share, among others, many clinical manifestations and serological features. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been of particular interest in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Here, we aimed to summarize the roles of lncRNAs as emerging novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in SLE and RA. We conducted a narrative review summarizing original articles on lncRNAs associated with SLE and RA, published until November 1, 2021. Based on the studies on lncRNA expression profiles in samples (including PBMCs, serum, and exosomes), it was noted that most of the current research is focused on investigating the regulatory mechanisms of these lncRNAs in SLE and/or RA. Several lncRNAs have been hypothesized to play key roles in these diseases. In SLE, lncRNAs such as GAS5, NEAT1, TUG1, linc0949, and linc0597 are dysregulated and may serve as emerging novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In RA, many validated lncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, GAS5, and HIX003209, have been identified as promising novel biomarkers for both diagnosis and treatment. The shared lncRNAs, for example, GAS5, may participate in SLE pathogenesis through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and trigger the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway in RA. Here, we summarize the data on key lncRNAs that may drive the pathogenesis of SLE and RA and could potentially serve as emerging novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the coming future.

Wu H ，Chen S ，Li A ，Shen K ，Wang S ，Wang S ，Wu P ，Luo W ，Pan Q ... -  《Frontiers in Immunology》

Differential Plasma Expression Profiles of Long Non-Coding RNAs Reveal Potential Biomarkers for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Wu GC ，Hu Y ，Guan SY ，Ye DQ ，Pan HF ... -  《Biomolecules》

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

Wu GC ，Li J ，Leng RX ，Li XP ，Li XM ，Wang DG ，Pan HF ，Ye DQ ... -  《Oncotarget》

Differences in the expression of long noncoding RNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells indicate potential biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an increasingly important role in various autoimmune diseases. We aimed to characterize the expression profiles of lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients and to assess the potential of these lncRNAs as RA biomarkers. Whole-transcriptome sequencing was used to establish a lncRNA expression profile. A total of 155 RA patients, 145 healthy controls, 59 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 59 primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients were recruited for this study. Four candidate lncRNAs (linc00152, lnc-ADM-1, ITSN1-2, and lnc-FTH1-7) were validated via qRT-PCR in independent samples, and their expression, association with RA clinical features and value as RA biomarkers were evaluated. Linc00152 and lnc-ADM-1 exhibited upregulated expression (p = 0.001, p = 0.014, respectively), while ITSN1-2 and lnc-FTH1-7 exhibited downregulated expression (both p < 0.001, respectively) in RA patients compared to controls. Lnc-ADM-1 and lnc-FTH1-7 expression correlated positively with the C4 level (p = 0.016 and p = 0.012, respectively). ITSN1-2 levels were negatively associated with CRP levels (p = 0.024). Linc00152, lnc-ADM-1, ITSN1-2, and lnc-FTH1-7 showed potential as RA biomarkers, with the four-lncRNA panel distinguishing RA patients from controls, SLE patients, or pSS patients (AUC = 0.886, 0.746, and 0.749, respectively). The altered expression of linc00152, lnc-ADM-1, ITSN1-2 and lnc-FTH1-7 in RA patients suggested that these genes may serve as potential biomarkers for RA and could be involved in its pathogenesis.

Li HM ，Wang LJ ，Wang YP ，Li XM ，Pan HF ... -  《-》

Study on the expression changes of lncRNA in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its correlation with Treg cells.

Bu YJ ，Cen X ，Wang YQ ，Fan R ，Zhang F ，Liu YQ ，An J ，Qiao J ，Zhang SX ，Chen JW ... -  《-》