Long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 and its targets, microRNA-21 and microRNA-140, are potential biomarkers of allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Objective: Long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 (lnc-GAS5) and its targets (microRNA [miR]-21 and miR-140) are involved in the development and progression of allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the correlation of lnc-GAS5 with miR-21 and miR-140 and their associations with disease risk, symptom severity, and Th1/Th2 cytokines in AR remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate this topic. Methods: In total, 120 patients with AR and 60 controls were recruited. Nasal-mucosa tissues were collected from all participants. Lnc-GAS5, its targets (miR-21 and miR-140), interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were detected by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Lnc-GAS5 was elevated, while miR-21 and miR-140 was downregulated in AR patients than in controls (p < 0.001). In AR patients, lnc-GAS5 was negatively correlated with miR-21 (p < 0.001), miR-140 (p < 0.001), IFN-γ (p = 0.019), and IL-2 (p = 0.039) and positively correlated with IL-4 (p = 0.004) and IL-10 (p < 0.001), individual nasal symptom scores (INSSs) for itching, sneezing, and congestion (p < 0.05), and total nasal symptom score (TNSS) (p < 0.001). Moreover, miR-21 and miR-140 were negatively correlated with some INSSs, total TNSS score, and IL-10 and positively correlated with IFN-γ and IL-2 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Lnc-GAS5 is negatively correlated with that of its targets (miR-21 and miR-140) in AR; meanwhile, lnc-GAS5, miR-21, and miR-140 are correlated with disease risk, symptom severity, and Th1/Th2 imbalance in AR, suggesting the potential of these biomarkers in the development and progression of AR.