Recent studies have shown contribution of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis of immune-related disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS). Based on the role of these transcripts in the regulation of immune response, peripheral levels of lncRNAs can reflect the level of immune activation. In the present study, we quantified expression of four lncRNAs namely SPRY4-IT1, HOXA-AS2, LINC-ROR, and MEG3 in venous blood of MS patients and controls using quantitative real-time PCR method. Relative expressions of SPRY4-IT1, HOXA-AS2, LINC-ROR, and MEG3 were significantly lower in female MS patients compared with female healthy subjects. For MEG3, this pattern of expression was also observed in male subjects. However, for other lncRNAs, no significant difference was detected between male patients and male controls. Expression of HOXA-AS2 was correlated with progression index (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Besides, there was a significant correlation between expression of this lncRNA and expression of LINC-ROR in MS patients (r = 0.44, P < 0.0001). There was no other correlation between expression of lncRNAs and clinical data in MS patients. In control group, expressions of none of lncRNAs were correlated with age of persons. Notably, significant correlations were demonstrated between expression levels of all lncRNAs in healthy subjects with r values ranging from 0.23 to 0.42. The current investigation shows dysregulation of lncRNAs in MS patients in a sex-specific manner and warrants further studies to unravel the clinical and therapeutic implications of such dysregulation.

最近的研究表明长链非编码 RNA (lncRNAs) 在免疫相关疾病的发病机制中的作用，包括多发性硬化症 (MS)。基于这些转录本在免疫反应调节中的作用，lncRNAs的外周水平可以反映免疫激活的水平。在本研究中，我们使用定量实时 PCR 方法量化了 MS 患者和对照静脉血中四种 lncRNA，即SPRY4-IT1、HOXA-AS2、LINC-ROR和MEG3 的表达。SPRY4-IT1、HOXA-AS2、LINC-ROR、MEG3的相对表达与女性健康受试者相比，女性 MS 患者的显着降低。对于MEG3，在男性受试者中也观察到这种表达模式。然而，对于其他 lncRNA，男性患者和男性对照组之间没有检测到显着差异。的表达HOXA-AS2与进展指数相关（[R  = 0.36，P  <0.001）。此外，该 lncRNA 的表达与MS 患者LINC-ROR 的表达之间存在显着相关性（r  = 0.44，P < 0.0001)。在 MS 患者中，lncRNA 的表达与临床数据之间没有其他相关性。在对照组中，没有lncRNAs的表达与人的年龄相关。值得注意的是，健康受试者中所有 lncRNA 的表达水平之间存在显着相关性，r值范围为 0.23 至 0.42。目前的调查显示 MS 患者的 lncRNA 以性别特异性方式失调，需要进一步研究以阐明这种失调的临床和治疗意义。