Abnormal expression of MAPK14-related lncRNAs in the peripheral blood of patients with multiple sclerosis

Introduction: Contribution of MAPK14 in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been proposed by several studies. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) have been suggested to be functionally linked with Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14). Methods: Expression levels of MAPK14 and its associated lncRNAs were measured in the circulation of MS pa-tients compared with control subjects. Results: Expression levels of NORAD and RAD51-AS1 were higher in total patients compared with controls (Expression ratio (95% CI) = 1.4 (1.04-1.89), P value = 0.015 and Expression ratio (95% CI) = 1.91 (1.43-2.6), P value = 0.0001, respectively). Conversely, ZNRD1ASP was under-expressed in cases compared with controls (Expression ratio (95% CI) = 0.61 (0.41-0.8), P value = 0.0005). In spite of the observed abnormal expression levels of these lncRNAs in the circulation of MS patients, their expressions were not correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, disease duration or age at disease onset. Conclusion: To sum up, the current investigation shows dysregulation of MAPK14-related lncRNAs in MS patients.

Automated summary

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested to be influenced by the dysregulation of Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) and its associated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). This study measured the expression levels of MAPK14 and its associated lncRNAs in the circulation of MS patients. The results showed abnormal expression levels of NORAD, RAD51-AS1, and ZNRD1ASP in MS patients compared to controls, but these expression levels were not correlated with clinical factors.