Serum long noncoding RNAs FAS-AS1 & PVT1 are novel biomarkers for systemic lupus erythematous

ABSTRACT

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder whose diagnosis depends on combination of multiple factors. Circulating lncRNAs could serve as diagnostic non-invasive biomarkers for SLE. We hypothesised that serum FAS-AS1 and PVT1 are new biomarkers for SLE that relate to clinical features and laboratory markers.

Materials and Method: Measurement of serum FAS-AS1 & PVT1 by qRT-PCR, analysis of the association between two RNAs and the clinical data, activity index and laboratory markers by standard routine methods.

Results: There was a significant relative increased serum FAS-AS1 (median (IQR) 2.19 (0.13–8.62) and a significant reduced PVT1 (median (IQR) 0.52 (0.01–7.55) in SLE patients compared to controls (P < 0.0001 for FAS-AS1 and = 0.007 for PVT1). Serum FAS-AS1 and PVT1 were positively correlated (r= 0.37, P = 0.001). Higher FAS-AS1 was significantly linked with nephritis (P = 0.011), positive anti-dsDNA (P= 0.01) and lower serum PVT1 was significantly associated with oral ulcers (P= 0.023), photosensitivity (P= 0.017), and neurological manifestations (P= 0.041). Serum PVT1 negatively correlated with age (r= −0.52, P< 0.0001) and ESR level (r= −0.29, P= 0.011) in SLE patients. No correlation between disease activity and serum FAS-AS1 or PVT1 was detected.

Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that serum FAS-AS1 and PVT1 are new biomarkers for SLE.

KEYWORDS:

• FAS-AS1; PVT1; qRT-PCR
• Systemic Lupus Erythematous
• SLE

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.