Revealing Long Noncoding RNAs as Potential Biomarkers for Rheumatoid Arthritis Through High-Throughput Sequencing and...

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key epigenetic regulators in gene-environment interactions.
• lncRNAs are implicated in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify differentially expressed lncRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers for RA.
• To investigate the diagnostic performance and potential mechanisms of identified lncRNAs in RA.

Main Methods:

• High-throughput RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients and healthy controls.
• Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for validation.
• Bioinformatic analysis to predict molecular pathways and interactions.

Main Results:

• Eight lncRNAs were identified as potential RA biomarkers.
• LINC01881 and MIR3142HG were validated, showing moderate diagnostic performance (AUCs 0.713 and 0.723).
• Combination of LINC01881 and MIR3142HG improved diagnostic efficacy (AUC 0.786). LINC01881 correlated with inflammation markers (CRP, ESR), and MIR3142HG with platelet count.

Conclusions:

• MIR3142HG and LINC01881 are promising diagnostic biomarkers for RA.
• LINC01881 may regulate inflammation via the PI3K-Akt pathway.
• MIR3142HG may be involved in platelet biology.
• Further studies are needed to confirm mechanisms and clinical utility.