Extracellular vesicle-derived long non-coding RNA as circulating biomarkers for endometriosis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology and molecular diagnostics.

Background:

• Endometriosis diagnosis relies on invasive methods.
• Novel non-invasive biomarkers are needed for early detection and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify extracellular vesicle-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as potential circulating biomarkers for endometriosis.
• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of identified lncRNAs.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing of plasma extracellular vesicles from 85 endometriosis patients and 86 controls.
• Differential expression analysis, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis.
• Validation using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Main Results:

• 210 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were significantly dysregulated in endometriosis patients.
• Expression of RP3-399L15.2 and CH507-513H4.6 was decreased; RP11-326N17.2, KLHL7-AS1, and MIR548XHG was increased.
• The combined lncRNA signature (RP3-399L15.2 and CH507-513H4.6) showed 80.00% sensitivity and 85.45% specificity (AUC=0.9045).
• CH507-513H4.6 may aid in early-stage endometriosis detection.

Conclusions:

• The combination of RP3-399L15.2 and CH507-513H4.6 represents a promising non-invasive biomarker panel for endometriosis.
• These lncRNAs could improve diagnostic strategies and facilitate earlier intervention for endometriosis.