The hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis is the breakdown of peripheral tolerance in the immune system. However, its molecular mechanism is not completely understood. Since long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has played important roles in regulation of immunological pathways, here, we evaluated the expression of a novel lncRNA, TOB1-AS1, and its putative associated coding genes in the mechanism of maintaining immune tolerance in peripheral blood of MS patients to assess their possible roles in MS pathogenesis. In this study, 39 MS patients and 32 healthy matched controls were recruited. Real-time PCR standard curve method was used to quantify transcript levels of TOB1-AS1, TOB1, SKP2, and TSG. In addition, the potential sex hormone receptor binding sites on target genes promoter were analyzed using JASPR software. This work demonstrates a negative correlation between TOB1-AS1 expression and EDSS of patients. Also, a robust dysregulation of co-expression of TOB1-AS1 lncRNA and the coding genes in MS patients compared to controls was observed. Such dysregulation in this pathway may be related to MS pathogenesis and response to interferon treatment.

中文翻译：

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TOB1-AS1长非编码RNA与免疫耐受的可能关联：多发性硬化症患者的研究。

多发性硬化症（MS）发病机理的标志是免疫系统中外周耐受性的破坏。但是，其分子机理尚未完全了解。由于长非编码RNA（lncRNAs）在免疫途径的调控中发挥重要的作用，在这里，我们评价一种新型的lncRNA，表达TOB1 - AS1在维持外周血免疫耐受的机制，其公认的相关的编码基因MS患者以评估其在MS发病机理中的可能作用。在这项研究中，招募了39位MS患者和32位健康匹配的对照。使用实时PCR标准曲线法定量TOB1 - AS1，TOB1，SKP2和TSG的转录水平。另外，使用JASPR软件分析了靶基因启动子上潜在的性激素受体结合位点。这项工作证明了患者的TOB1 - AS1表达与EDSS之间呈负相关。此外，共表达的健壮失调TOB1 - AS1观察lncRNA并在与对照相比，MS患者的编码基因。这种途径中的这种失调可能与MS的发病机制以及对干扰素治疗的反应有关。