Expression of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-21, and IL17 in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent autoimmune disease with significant patient and societal costs, emphasizing the need for early diagnostic biomarkers.
• Long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), micro-RNA 21 (miR-21), and interleukin 17 (IL17) are implicated in inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the roles of NEAT1, miR-21, and IL17 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis and activity.
• To assess the potential of NEAT1, miR-21, and IL17 as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for RA.

Main Methods:

• Serum expression levels of NEAT1, miR-21, and IL17 were compared between 100 RA patients and 100 healthy controls.
• Correlations between the expression levels of these molecules and RA clinical manifestations, including disease activity scores (DAS-28) and disease duration, were analyzed.

Main Results:

• NEAT1 and IL17 expression levels were significantly upregulated in RA patients compared to controls.
• miR-21 expression was significantly downregulated in RA patients.
• NEAT1 showed a significant positive correlation with joint swelling and tenderness counts and the DAS-28 score. miR-21 negatively correlated with RA disease duration.

Conclusions:

• NEAT1, miR-21, and IL17 exhibit distinct expression patterns in RA patients, with NEAT1 and IL17 upregulated and miR-21 downregulated.
• NEAT1 expression is significantly associated with RA disease activity, indicating its potential as a biomarker.
• Further research is warranted to validate NEAT1, miR-21, and IL17 as reliable biomarkers for RA diagnosis and management.