Measurement of the circulating levels of long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lupus nephritis (LN) patients could dramatically explore more insights about the disease pathogenesis. Hence, we aimed to quantify the level of expression of CTC-471J1.2 and NeST in LN patients and to correlate it with the disease activity. This case-control study was conducted on a group of children with juvenile LN attending to Mansoura University Children’s Hospital (MUCH). Demographics, clinical, and laboratory findings were collected besides the measurement of lncRNAs by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression level of lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2 was significantly down-regulated in children with active LN versus inactive cases or controls. In contrast, the NeST was significantly up-regulated in active LN cases. A significant correlation was found between CTC-471J1.2 expression and LN activity parameters. Additionally, both lncRNAs showed a reasonable sensitivity and specificity in differentiation of active LN. A regression analysis model revealed that CTC-471J1.2 and NeST were independent predictors of active nephritis. The expression level of circulatory lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2 and NeST can be used as sensitive and specific biomarkers for active LN. Furthermore, both could serve as predictors for nephritis activity.

中文翻译：

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长非编码RNA（CTC-471J1.2，NeST）作为活动性幼年狼疮肾炎的表观遗传危险因素：病例对照研究

测量狼疮肾炎 (LN) 患者的长非编码 RNA (lncRNA) 循环水平可以极大地探索有关该疾病发病机制的更多见解。因此，我们的目的是量化 LN 患者中 CTC-471J1.2 和 NeST 的表达水平，并将其与疾病活动性相关联。这项病例对照研究是针对一组在曼苏拉大学儿童医院 (MUCH) 就诊的青少年 LN 儿童进行的。除了通过定量实时 PCR 测量 lncRNA 之外，还收集了人口统计学、临床和实验室结果。与非活动性病例或对照相比，活动性 LN 儿童中 lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2 的表达水平显着下调。相反，在活动性 LN 病例中 NeST 显着上调。 CTC-471J1.2 表达与 LN 活性参数之间存在显着相关性。此外，两种 lncRNA 在分化活动性 LN 方面均表现出合理的敏感性和特异性。回归分析模型显示，CTC-471J1.2 和 NeST 是活动性肾炎的独立预测因子。循环lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2和NeST的表达水平可作为活动性LN的敏感和特异性生物标志物。此外，两者都可以作为肾炎活动的预测因子。