Serum long noncoding RNAs FAS-AS1 & PVT1 are novel biomarkers for systemic lupus erythematous.

Background : Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder whose diagnosis depends on combination of multiple factors. Circulating lncRNAs could serve as diagnostic non-invasive biomarkers for SLE. We hypothesised that serum FAS-AS1 and PVT1 are new biomarkers for SLE that relate to clinical features and laboratory markers. Materials and Method : Measurement of serum FAS-AS1 & PVT1 by qRT-PCR, analysis of the association between two RNAs and the clinical data, activity index and laboratory markers by standard routine methods. Results : There was a significant relative increased serum FAS-AS1 (median (IQR) 2.19 (0.13-8.62) and a significant reduced PVT1 (median (IQR) 0.52 (0.01-7.55) in SLE patients compared to controls ( P < 0.0001 for FAS-AS1 and = 0.007 for PVT1). Serum FAS-AS1 and PVT1 were positively correlated ( r = 0.37, P = 0.001). Higher FAS-AS1 was significantly linked with nephritis ( P = 0.011), positive anti-dsDNA ( P = 0.01) and lower serum PVT1 was significantly associated with oral ulcers ( P = 0.023), photosensitivity ( P = 0.017), and neurological manifestations ( P = 0.041). Serum PVT1 negatively correlated with age ( r = -0.52, P < 0.0001) and ESR level ( r = -0.29, P = 0.011) in SLE patients. No correlation between disease activity and serum FAS-AS1 or PVT1 was detected. Conclusions : Our study provides evidence that serum FAS-AS1 and PVT1 are new biomarkers for SLE.