Evaluation of the Association Between lncRNA-NEAT1 and CircRNA-UHRF1 Expression Levels in the Serum of SLE Patients

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder marked by immune system dysfunction, resulting in systemic inflammation and organ damage. To measure and evaluate the association between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-NEAT1 and circular RNA (circRNA)-UHRF1 expression levels in the serum of SLE patients and to compare the results with healthy controls to evaluate their potential as diagnostic biomarkers regarding the disease severity. One hundred subjects subdivided equally into SLE patients and healthy-matched individuals were enrolled. Real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) for quantitative expression levels of NEAT-1 and circRNA-UHRF1 was used. The expression levels of both NEAT-1 and circRNA-UHRF1 in the serum of SLE patients were significantly upregulated in comparison with healthy controls. Results also revealed that the expression level of both NEAT-1 and circRNA-UHRF1 tended to increase with the severity of the disease. It was detected as well that there were negative correlations between circRNA-UHRF1 and TLC (r=-0.284, p = 0.046), circRNA-UHRF1 and serum albumin (r=-0.297, p = 0.036). There were positive correlations between ESR and CRP (r = 0.668, p < 0.0001), ESR and neutrophils percentage (r = 0.364, p = 0.009), ESR and urinary albumin (r = 0.285, p = 0.045), ESR and interstitial inflammation (r = 0.309, p = 0.029) and negative correlations between ESR and lymphocytes percentage (r=-0.315, p = 0.026), ESR and ALT (r=-0.364, p = 0.009). Though renal biopsy as well as laboratory tests are generally used to diagnose SLE considering symptoms, it is an invasive cost-effective procedure. The combination of evaluating NEAT-1 with circRNA-UHRF1 could be a promising non-invasive early diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target for SLE.