Evolving role of long non-coding (lnc) RNA RP11-273G15.2, mRNA-RSAD2 and mRNA-IFI44 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Aim of the work: To assess expression level of long non-coding (lnc) RNA RP11-273G15.2, microRNA (mRNA) RSAD2, and mRNAIFI44 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and to study their relationship with clinical manifestations, hematological indices, and disease activity. Patients and methods: This study recruited 40 SLE patients and 40 controls. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed. Quantitative analysis by real-time polymerized-chain reaction was accomplished for lncRNA RP11-273G15.2, mRNA-RSAD2 and mRNA-IFI44. Results: The mean age of the patients was 33.4 ± 8.1 years, 36 females (F:M 9:1) and disease duration 7.4 ± 6.2 years. The mRNA IFI44 was significantly upregulated in patients (p = 0.004), while lnc RNA RP11-273G15.2 and mRNA-RSAD2 were comparable between patients and controls. The lnc RNA RP11-273G15.2, mRNA IFI44 and mRNA RSAD2 were similar between patients with and without musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary, mucocutaneous, central nervous system, or renal manifestations. The mRNA RSAD2 exhibited significantly lower expression level in patients with history of thrombosis (p = 0.03). The lnc RNA RP11-273G15.2, mRNA-IFI44 and mRNA-RSAD2 were comparable in relation to the other blood indices anti-dsDNA positivity and complement consumption. There was no association of any of the studied parameters with SLEDAI. Conclusion: The mRNA IFI44 was significantly upregulated in SLE patients signifying its role in the molecular pathophysiology of SLE, while lncRNA RP11-273G15.2, and mRNA-RSAD2 were comparable between patients and controls. The lncRNA RP11-273G15.2, mRNA-IFI44 and mRNA-RSAD2 were not related to clinical manifestations, hematological indices, immune profile, or disease activity of SLE patients, apart from significant down regulation of mRNA-RSAD2 in patients with history of thrombosis.