Differential Expression of Long Noncoding RNAs Reveals a Potential Biomarker for Intractable Pemphigus

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in autoimmune diseases. However, the role of lncRNAs in pemphigus remains elusive. OBJECTIVE: The study is aimed at investigating the expression profile in pemphigus patients to identify a circulating lncRNA as a novel biomarker for pemphigus. METHOD: A global lncRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by lncRNA microarray. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR). The functional and biological processes of the differentially expressed lncRNAs were analyzed by bioinformatics. RESULTS: lncRNA ENST00000585297 in the PBMCs of pemphigus patients was highly expressed compared with those of HCs and BP patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.846 (95%confidence interval (CI) = 0.7526 to 0.9397). Intriguingly, we found that the expression of ENST00000585297 was upregulated in pemphigus patients whose symptoms could not be managed within four weeks compared to other patients whose symptoms could be managed in four weeks or less (P < 0.05). In addition, ENST00000585297 expression in pemphigus patients was positively correlated with the dosage of prednisone needed to manage the disorder (r = 0.4905, P = 0.0094). A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network was constructed based on the ceRNA theory. Further verification demonstrated that silencing of ENST00000585297 increased the expression of miR-584-3p. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed for the first time the expression profile of lncRNAs in pemphigus patients. In addition, our study identified ENST00000585297 as a biomarker and indicator for the intractable course of pemphigus.