Long non‐coding RNA AFAP1‐AS1 is upregulated in a subset of multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Objective Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Although the exact mechanism of this autoimmune disorder has not yet been identified, several protein coding genes and noncoding transcripts have been shown to be dysregulated in MS patients. Methods In the current study, we assessed expression of actin filament associated protein 1 (AFAP1) and its naturally occurring antisense (actin filament associated protein 1-antisense 1: AFAP1-AS1) in the peripheral blood of MS patients and healthy individuals. Results AFAP1-AS1 was upregulated in male MS patients compared with healthy male controls (P = 0.048). AFAP1 expression was not different between MS patients and controls or between any subgroups of patients and controls. The interaction between disease status and sex was significant in AFAP1-AS1 expression. There was a significant inverse correlation between expression levels of AFAP1 and AFAP1-AS1 in healthy individuals (r = À0.472, P = 0.001), but not MS patients (r = À0.251, P = 0.078). Conclusions The current study implies the role of AFAP1-AS1 dysregulation in the pathogenesis of a certain group of MS patients. Future studies are required to elaborate the underlying mechanism of such dysregulation.

Long Non-Coding RNAs, Novel Offenders or Guardians in Multiple Sclerosis: A Scoping Review

“…Also, 33 studies were conducted in the Iranian population ( 24 – 26 , 28 – 34 , 36 , 38 – 43 , 45 – 55 , 57 , 58 , 61 , 66 , 67 ), 9 studies were in China ( 68 – 76 ), 5 studies were in Egypt ( 37 , 62 – 65 ), 4 studies were in Italy ( 27 , 35 , 59 , 60 ), 1 study was in Russia ( 44 ), and 1 study was in the Netherlands ( 56 ). A total of 44 studies evaluated the expression of lncRNAs in MS patients ( 24 , 26 – 31 , 34 – 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 50 – 54 , 56 – 61 , 63 – 65 , 67 – 76 ), while 9 other studies analyzed polymorphisms of lncRNAs ( 25 , 32 , 33 , 44 , 47 , 49 , 55 , 62 , 66 ). The details of the included studies are summarized in Tables 1 , 2 .…”