Abstract
OBJECTIVES: It is reported that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) targets microRNA (miR)-33a, miR-181a and miR-495 to regulate inflammation process, while few studies report their clinical application for paediatric asthma management. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the interaction of lncRNA CRNDE with miR-33a, miR-181a and miR-495, as well as their correlation with inflammation, exacerbation risk and severity in paediatric patients with asthma. METHODS: Asthmatic exacerbation children (N = 65), asthmatic controlled children (N = 65) and controls (N = 65) were recruited. LncRNA CRNDE, miR-33a, miR-181a and miR-495 expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by RT-qPCR. Besides, serum inflammatory cytokines (including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: LncRNA CRNDE, miR-33a and miR-495 expressions were different, while miR-181a expression was similar among asthmatic exacerbation children, asthmatic controlled children and controls. Moreover, lncRNA CRNDE negatively correlated with miR-33a and miR-495 in asthmatic exacerbation children and asthmatic controlled children, but not in controls. Further analyses showed that lncRNA CRNDE positively correlated with TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17 and exacerbation severity, while it negatively correlated with FEV(1) /FVC in asthmatic exacerbation children. Meanwhile, miR-33a, miR-181a and miR-495 all negatively correlated with some individual inflammatory cytokines, while only miR-33a negatively correlated with exacerbation severity in asthmatic exacerbation children. CONCLUSION: LncRNA CRNDE correlates negatively with miR-33a and miR-495 and positively with inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic children.