Dysregulation in growth arrest-specific 5 and metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 gene expression predicts diagnosis and renal fibrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Biomarkers that enhance overall diagnosis and prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a growing need to be recognized. The use of long non-coding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) as biomarkers in this regard is still largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate lncRNA [metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5)] expression in SLE patients with/without nephritis. Their relation to disease activity/chronicity changes has been identified. A total of 40 SLE patients and 40 healthy controls were tested using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for expression levels of MALAT1 and GAS5. Results MALAT1 expression was aberrantly upregulated, while GAS5 was downregulated in patients with SLE versus controls. GAS5 relative expression was significantly downregulated in lupus nephritis (LN) patients compared to non-lupus nephritis (NN) patients. GAS5 was also correlated with glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and hypertension. Conclusion The lncRNA (GAS5 and MALAT1) may serve as diagnostic biomarkers for SLE. Moreover, GAS5 may distinguish SLE LN patients from NN patients and may predict renal fibrosis in LN patients.

Keywords

• Growth arrest-specific 5
• Long non-coding RNA
• Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1
• Systemic lupus erythematosus