LncRNA NEAT1 correlates with Th17 cells and proinflammatory cytokines, also reflects stenosis degree and cholesterol level in coronary heart disease patients

BACKGROUND: Long non‐coding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (lnc‐NEAT1) regulates endothelial cell functions, CD4(+) T cell regulation and chronic inflammation related to coronary heart disease (CHD). Then this case‐control study measured lnc‐NEAT1 expression in CHD patients, aiming to explore its clinical value in CHD management. METHODS: Totally, 120 documented CHD patients and 120 suspected subjects without CHD diagnosis as controls were enrolled. Plasma lnc‐NEAT1 was detected by RT‐qPCR in all participants, plasma inflammatory cytokines were assessed by ELISA, T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th 17 cell proportions in CD4(+) T cells were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis in CHD patients, respectively. RESULTS: Lnc‐NEAT1 was higher in CHD patients than in controls (p < 0.001). In CHD patients, lnc‐NEAT1 positively associated with Gensini score (r = 0.323, p < 0.001). Besides, lnc‐NEAT1 positively correlated with tumor necrosis factor‐α (r = 0.271, p = 0.003), interleukin (IL)‐1β (r = 0.216, p = 0.018), IL‐6 (r = 0.217, p = 0.018) and IL‐17 (r = 0.292, p = 0.001); meanwhile, it was positively associated with the percentage of Th 17 cells (r = 0.384, p = 0.002). However, no correlation was found in lnc‐NEAT1 with the percentage of Th1 or Th2 cells (all p > 0.05). Moreover, lnc‐NEAT1 was correlated with higher hyperuricemia prevalence (p = 0.028), increased total cholesterol (r = 0.263, p = 0.004) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.261, p = 0.004), but was not associated with other characteristics (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lnc‐NEAT1 correlates with Th17 cells and proinflammatory cytokines, also reflects stenosis degree and cholesterol level in CHD patients, which potentially improves the management of CHD patients.