Abstract
The human transcriptome is primarily composed of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are key regulatory molecules of multiple biological processes. In the present study, the expression profiles of lncRNAs in the peripheral blood and CD4+ T cells of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were determined. Based on the expression profiles, 493 lncRNAs and 374 mRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of active RA patients and healthy donors. Further verification of lncRNAs was performed using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q) PCR analysis of peripheral blood from 5 healthy donors and 5 patients with active RA and 14 additional differentially expressed genes were identified. CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood from 12 patients with active RA and 8 healthy donors were isolated using magnetic beads and qPCR was used to assess differentially expressed lncRNAs. The results suggested that 7 lncRNAs were upregulated and 2 were downregulated. The results indicated that these 9 lncRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA. An increased ratio of Th17: T-regulatory (Treg) cells was also observed. It may be hypothesized that LncRNAs serve important roles in the differentiation of CD4+ T cells. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that these 9 lncRNAs are of potential clinical diagnostic value for RA. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the correlation coefficient between Ensembl transcript (ENST)00000569543 and complement C4 was 0.623 (P<0.05), and that between ENST00000420096 and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody or disease activity evaluation score, the correlation coefficient was 0.662 and 0.605, respectively (P<0.05 for each). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest a possible role of lncRNAs in the differentiation of CD4+ T cells and the pathogenesis of RA, as well as the potential value as diagnostic biomarkers for active RA.