Expression signatures of lncRNAs in skeletal muscles at the early flow phase revealed by microarray in burned rats

Severe thermal trauma covering more than 30% of the total body surface area (TBSA) triggers a sustained pathophysiological response, which includes, but is not limited to, hypermetabolism, chronic inflammation, and severe skeletal muscle wasting. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an important class of pervasive genes involved in a variety of biological functions. However, the functions of lncRNAs in the regulation of responses of skeletal muscle wasting after severe burn have remained untested.

Presently examined were the expression profiles of lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in skeletal muscle tissues of 3 pairs of burned rats at the early flow phase, compared with sham rats, using microarray. Each potential lncRNA-mRNA pair identified is a strong candidate in the definitive confirmation of the presence of specific lncRNA-mRNA interactions, thus providing a detailed picture of the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle wasting in burned rats.

LncRNA expression levels were compared among 3 injured tissues and matched normal tissues from microarray data. An average of 117 significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs (1.5-fold) were identified. Only 202 mRNAs were significantly upregulated or downregulated, an average of 92 mRNAs were upregulated in injured, compared to matched normal, tissues, while an average of 110 mRNAs) were downregulated.

Presently identified were lncRNAs differentially expressed in skeletal muscles of burned rats, compared to normal tissues. Regulatory pathways may be involved in the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle wasting. Each lncRNA-mRNA pair identified is a strong candidate for a future study to definitively confirm the presence of specific lncRNA-mRNA interactions, thus providing a more detailed picture of the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle wasting in burned rats.