Long non-coding RNA MEG3 and its genetic variant rs941576 are associated with rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis in Egyptian patients

Abstract

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a joint destructive disorder. This study aimed to assess lncRNA MEG3 expression and its variant rs941576 in Egyptian patients with RA.

Subjects and methods

100 RA patients and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Quantitative PCR was used for expression analysis and allelic discrimination technology for genotyping.

Results

LncRNA MEG3 was down-regulated in RA patients and negatively associated with RA clinical features and HIF-1α and VEGF serum levels. On the contrary, it was positively associated with BAX serum levels in RA patients. The major A allele of rs941576 variant was associated with RA patients (p = .0003). AA genotype showed a significant decrease in lncRNA MEG3 expression and BAX and increase in HIF-1α and VEGF.

Conclusions

Serum lncRNA MEG3 expression showed negative association with increased susceptibility to RA. MEG3 gene rs941576 (A/G) polymorphism was associated with increased severity of RA in the current population.

Keywords:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• long non-coding RNA Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3)
• hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α )
• vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• Bcl-2–associated X (BAX)

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Center of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt for providing the facilities to perform the research work. We would also like to thank all participants for agreeing to participate in the current study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).