Full Papers
Long non-coding RNA expression profiles in neutrophils revealed potential biomarker for rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease in MDA5+ dermatomyositis
X. Zhang1, Y. Zhen2, C. Shao3, Y. Guo4, N. Xia5, Q. Guo6
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China.
- Vision Academy, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China. xia_nana0914@163.com
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital; and Department of Rheumatology, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China. bluedescent@126.com
CER19136
Full Papers
Received: 25/07/2025
Accepted : 12/01/2026
In Press: 04/05/2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
The long non-coding RNAs play important roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This study aims to screen and identify dysregulated lncRNAs in neutrophils of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 positive dermatomyositis (MDA5+DM) and explore the relationship between candidate lncRNA levels and well-recognised disease activity-related indicators.
METHODS:
RNA-Seq was used to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs in neutrophils from MDA5+DM, Jo1+ASyS and healthy controls. Following the screening process, levels of the candidate lncRNAs were confirmed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 280 participants, including 103 MDA5+DM, 85 Jo1+ASyS, 12 MDA5−DM, 26 SLE, 54 healthy controls.
RESULTS:
LncRNA expression profiling analysis identified 412 up-regulated and 201 down-regulated lncRNAs in neutrophils of MDA5+DM compared to healthy controls. Moreover, 144 lncRNAs were up-regulated, and 191 lncRNAs were down-regulated between MDA5+DM and Jo1+ASyS. RT-qPCR assay confirmed that the level of Lnc-ZCCHC13-18:1 was significantly higher in neutrophils of MDA5+DM compared to MDA5−DM, Jo1+ASyS, SLE, and healthy controls (all p-values <0.001). Notably, Lnc-ZCCHC13-18:1 (OR: 9.94, 95%CI: 2.71–47.12, p=0.001) was identified as an independent risk factor for RPILD, along with other well-recognised risk factors, such as the percentage of predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (OR: 6.23, 95%CI: 1.88–24.29, p=0.004), Krebs von den Lungen-6 (OR: 4.26, 95%CI: 1.31–15.63, p=0.02), serum ferritin (OR: 6.14, 95%CI: 1.75–26.41, p=0.008) and age at admission (OR: 1.07, 95%CI: 1.01–1.13, p=0.031).
CONCLUSIONS:
LncRNA expression profiling in neutrophils of MDA5+DM revealed differentially expressed lncRNAs. Lnc-ZCCHC13-18:1 has been identified as a possible biomarker for RPILD in MDA5+DM.
