Genetic polymorphisms in lncRNAs predict recurrence of ischemic stroke

Genetic polymorphisms in long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered as potential genetic biomarkers for the prediction of human complex diseases such as ischemic stroke (IS). However, so far, no reports have focused on the relationship of lncRNA polymorphisms with IS onset and prognosis. In our study, eight potential functional polymorphisms of four well-known lncRNAs (H19 rs2107425 and rs2251375, MALAT1 rs4102217 and rs3200401, MEG3 rs11160608 and rs4081134, SENCR rs4526784 and rs555172) were genotyped in 657 ischemic stroke patients. Then, the association between lncRNA polymorphisms and IS onset and recurrence were investigated. These lncRNA variants were not associated with age onset of IS. However, we observed that MEG3 rs4081134 AA genotype was statistically related with a reduced risk of stroke recurrence, particularly for patients with large-artery atherosclerotic stroke. Also, the decreased risk was more prominent in elders, non-smokers, non-drinkers and hypertensive patients. Furthermore, the variant genotype AA of rs4081134 was an independent predictor for IS recurrence using the multivariate Cox regression model. Our findings indicated that MEG3 rs4081134 can serve as a useful biomarker and potential therapeutic target in IS recurrence. More researches are needed to verify our results and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.