Abstract
The expression of long noncoding RNA (LncRNA), LOC645166, is downregulated in T cells of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. The role of LOC645166 in contribution to AS pathogenesis was investigated. Here, we have identified that an interacting network of LOC645166/miR-188-5p/NF-κB inhibitor-D (NFKBID) occurs in T cells of AS patients and regulates the expression of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3). Downregulation of LOC645166 augments the levels of miR-188-5p that binds to the 3'-UTR of NFKB1D mRNA and blocks the NFKB1D expression. NFKB1D, also called IκBNS, can trigger regulatory T (Treg) cell development through induction of FOXP3 expression. Downregulation of NFKB1D expression leads to suppression of the FOXP3 induction, in turn affecting Treg cell development. Promotion of the autoimmune response induced by suppression of FOXP3 expression contributes to the pathogenesis of AS.