Altered Expressions of Long-noncoding RNAs involved in development and pathogenesis of Child-onset lupus nephritis

Abstract

Abstract Background We aimed to assess the expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs in children with lupus nephritis (LN) by microarray analysis. Method 26 venous blood samples were obtained from LN patients and controls for this study. Sequencing of small RNAs was performed to evaluate the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in these two groups. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to clarify the potential biological functions and signaling pathways with which altered genes are most closely related. Result We identified 502 altered lncRNAs and 291 mRNAs in LN patients compared to healthy controls. A coding-non-coding gene co-expression (CNC) network profile based on eight validated altered lncRNAs as well as 258 interacted mRNAs. Following by Gene Ontology analysis, the target genes of the lncRNAs were most enriched in neutrophil degranulation, secretory granules, and catalytic activity. In addition, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis reported that the target genes were most enriched in the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and the Th1/Th2/Th17 significant pathway. Conclusions The present study showed that lncRNAs were significantly altered in children with LN compared to healthy controls and may play a critical role in the development and pathogenesis of LN. Thus, these altered lncRNAs and their target genes might be promising therapeutic targets for LN.