Open AccessUpregulated lncRNA‐NEF predicts recurrence and poor treatment outcomes of ankylosing spondylitis
Author(s) -
Han Dapeng,
Ouyang Guilin,
Pan Peijun,
Yuan Yuan
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
immunity, inflammation and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2050-4527
DOI - 10.1002/iid3.627
Subject(s) - ankylosing spondylitis , basdai , medicine , downregulation and upregulation , western blot , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , disease , cancer research , oncology , gastroenterology , biology , biochemistry , psoriatic arthritis , gene
Osteoporosis is related to lncRNA‐neighboring enhancer of FOXA2 (NEF) and inversely correlated to ankylosing spondylitis (AS), implying that lncRNA‐NEF might also relate to AS. Thus, the study was carried out to investigate the involvement of lncRNA‐NEF in AS. Methods The study included 60 AS patients and 60 healthy controls. LncRNA‐NEF expression in synovial fluid samples was analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Disease activity of the 60 AS patients was determined using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) 1–4 and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Western blot was carried out to investigate the effects of lncRNA‐NEF on inflammatory factors in human fibroblast‐like synovial (HFLS) cells. A 3‐year follow‐up was performed to analyze the role of lncRNA‐NEF in the prediction of the recurrence of AS. Results Our study observed that lncRNA‐NEF expression was upregulated in synovial fluid of AS patients and significantly correlated with the ASDAS 1–4, BASDAI, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C‐reactive protein level ( p < .05). Treatment with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs significantly downregulated lncRNA‐NEF expression ( p < .01). A 3‐year follow‐up showed that patients with high lncRNA‐NEF levels had a high recurrence rate (hazard ratio = 2.266). In addition, lncRNA‐NEF was found to regulate the expression of inflammatory factors in HFLS cells. Conclusions Therefore, lncRNA‐NEF upregulation can predict recurrence and poor treatment outcomes of AS and has a great potential to serve as a predictive biomarker factor for the recurrent AS.