LncRNA CASC11 is upregulated in postmenopausal osteoporosis and is correlated with TNF-α

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA cancer susceptibility 11 (CASC11) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in postmenopausal osteoporosis (POP). Methods and materials: POP patients and healthy controls were included in this study and levels of CASC11 and TNF-alpha in plasma of those participants were measured by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. ROC curve was used for diagnostic analysis. Patients were followed up for 2 years and the correlations between the levels of CASC11 and TNF-alpha and disease conditions were analyzed. Results: We found that CASC11 and TNF-alpha were both upregulated in plasma of POP patients than in healthy controls. Plasma levels of CASC11 and TNF-alpha were positively correlated in both POP patients and in healthy controls. Upregulation of CASC11 and TNF-alpha distinguished POP patients from healthy controls. Treatment and follow-up study showed that high CASC11 levels were significantly correlated with prolonged treatment course and high recurrence rate. Plasma levels of CASC11 and TNF-alpha decreased after treatment. CASC11 overexpression led to upregulated TNF-alpha in osteoclasts. Conclusion: CASC11 is upregulated in POP and is correlated with TNF-alpha.