LncRNA HULC affects the differentiation of Treg in HBV-related liver cirrhosis

Recently, a couple of the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proved to participate in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression. However, their associations with liver cirrhosis have not been reported. In this study, we aimed to identify the affection of HULC on regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.

Seven lncRNAs were chosen as candidate lncRNAs based on the association with liver disease. The candidate lncRNAs were validated by RT-qPCR. Additional flow cytometry of Tregs was performed in 34 HBV-related liver cirrhosis patients and 34 healthy volunteers. To investigate the function of HULC, HULC expression was modified by gene overexpression via lentivirus vector. RIP assay was performed further to validate the association between HULC and p18.

Circulation Tregs and HULC were significantly up-regulated in plasma samples of HBV-related cirrhosis patients. In addition, overexpression of HULC by lentivirus vector elevated Treg frequency in vitro. Furthermore, RIP assay showed that HULC down-regulated the level of p18 directly.

We confirmed the effects of HULC on Tregs differentiation in HBV-related liver cirrhosis. In addition, it was proved that HULC regulates the function of Tregs through down-regulated the level of p18 directly.