Differences in Immune Cell-Derived Circular RNA Between Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes and Type 1 Diabetes

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis.
• Specific circRNA differences between fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D) and T1D are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize circRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from FT1D and T1D patients.
• To explore the functional roles and molecular networks of these differentially expressed circRNAs.

Main Methods:

• PBMCs were isolated from FT1D and T1D patients.
• circRNA expression profiling was performed using the Arraystar Human circRNA Array.
• RT-qPCR validated key circRNAs in an independent cohort.
• Bioinformatics analyses predicted circRNA functions and networks.

Main Results:

• 145 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified between FT1D and T1D.
• Hsa_circRNA_038288, hsa_circRNA_104405, and hsa_circRNA_405498 were validated.
• Parent genes were enriched in RNA transport, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and focal adhesion pathways.
• Hsa_circRNA_038288 showed potential coding capacity and involvement in immune regulation and diabetes progression.

Conclusions:

• Significant differences in immune cell-derived circRNAs distinguish FT1D from T1D.
• These findings provide new insights into the distinct molecular mechanisms underlying FT1D and T1D.