Circular RNAs and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of noncoding RNAs that form covalently closed RNA circles. The discovery of circRNAs discloses a new layer of gene regulation occurred post-transcriptionally. Identification of endogenous circRNAs benefits from the advance in high-throughput RNA sequencing and remains challenging.

Plasma levels of adipokines in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Objective: To evaluate the plasma levels of six adipokines, including chemerin, omentin-1, lipocalin-2, cathepsin-S, cathepsin-L and adipsin, in patients with SLE.

Methods: Ninety SLE patients and ninety control subjects were recruited, plasma adipokines levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their associations with major clinical and laboratory indexes were analyzed.

Results: There were no significant differences in plasma chemerin, omentin-1, lipocalin-2, cathepsin-S, cathepsin-L and adipsin levels between SLE patients and controls.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between MYO9B gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Objective: Both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have a complex etiology involving multiple genetic and environmental factors. Multiple UC and CD susceptibility genes have been identified through genome-wide association studies and subsequent meta-analyses. The aim of this meta-analysis was to clarify the impact of MYO9B gene polymorphisms on CD and UC risk.

MicroRNA-210 and its theranostic potential.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a set of small single-stranded noncoding RNAs with diverse biological functions. As a prototypical hypoxamir, human microRNA-210 (hsa-miR-210) is one of the most widely studied miRNAs thus far. In addition to its involvement in sophisticated regulation of numerous biological processes, miR-210 has also been shown to be associated with the development of different human diseases including various types of cancers, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and immunological diseases.

Emerging role of adipokines in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by multisystem organ involvement and unclear pathogenesis. Several adipokines synthesized in the adipose tissue, including leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and chemerin, have been explored in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, especially SLE, and results suggest that these mediators may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. However, the current results are controversial.

TCR-CD3ζ gene polymorphisms and expression profile in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Recent evidence has demonstrated that CD3ζ (also called CD247) play a vital role in multiple autoimmune diseases. In this study, we explored the association between CD247 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Chinese Han population. We also evaluated the CD3ζ expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with RA and health controls.

Association between rs6887695 and 3'-untranslated region polymorphisms within the interleukin-12B gene and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases in Asian and European population: A meta-analysis.

Background: The associations between rs6887695 and 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within interleukin-12B (IL-12B) and autoimmune diseases (ADs) remain controversial and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between IL-12B (3'-UTR A/C and rs6887695 C/G SNPs) and ADs by meta-analysis.

Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were exhaustively searched for studies on the association between IL-12B SNPs and ADs.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of HSP90AA1 gene influence response of SLE patients to glucocorticoids treatment.

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an important glucocorticoid receptor (GR) chaperone protein, and is supposed to be the key factor in regulating glucocorticoids (GCs) effects. The aim of the present study was to explore whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within HSP90AA1 gene affect the response of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients to GCs treatment. Two hundred and forty-five SLE patients were treated with GCs (prednisone) for 12 weeks.

Genetic Polymorphism (rs329498) in the Pellino-1 Gene as Possible Predisposal Factor for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Chinese Population.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Peli-1 gene with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese population.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study and a total of 738 SLE patients and 827 healthy controls were finally recruited. Peli-1 rs329498 and rs10496105 polymorphisms were specified from genomic DNA using TaqMan genotyping assay on Fluidigm 192.

Evidence for genetic association of TBX21 and IFNG with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese Han population.

TBX21 recode T-bet which is an important transcription factor that drives the Th1 immune response primarily by promoting expression of the interferon-gamma (IFNG) gene. Recent studies have shown that genetic variants in TBX21 and IFNG are connected with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the present study was to replicate these genetic associations with SLE in Anhui Chinese population.

Relationship between the IL12B (rs3212227) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to multiple autoimmune diseases: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) IL12B 3(')UTR +1188A/C (rs3212227) confers susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the strength of association.

Complement C4 induces regulatory T cells differentiation through dendritic cell in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease. Complement component 4 (C4) has be proved to play a role in pathogenesis of SLE. In the present study, we investigated the effect of C4 on T cells differentiation.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness in rheumatoid arthritis: an update meta-analysis.

This study aims to derive a more precise estimation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and related factors. Studies published from January 1, 1982 to December 31, 2014 in English, which comparing CIMT between RA group and control group were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Heterogeneity test was performed, and publication bias was evaluated.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaques are both frequently used to identify populations at higher cardiovascular risk. A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate CIMT and carotid plaques difference between SLE patients and normal controls.

Plasma/Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Currently published data regarding the relationship between plasma/serum leptin levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are contradictory. To derive a more precise evaluation of this relationship, a meta-analysis was performed.

Methods: Published literature from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were obtained.

Association Study of Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis is controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to clarify this dispute.

Methods: We systematically searched the electronic PUBMED, EMBASE and CNKI databases for research articles about MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to January 2015.

Therapeutic potential of IL-15 in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, destructive inflammatory autoimmune disease. Cytokine-mediated immunity has been found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases including RA. Recently, much attention has been paid on the role of IL-15, which is a member of the 4 α-helix bundle cytokine family.

Glucocorticoid receptor genetic polymorphisms is associated with improvement of health-related quality of life in Chinese population with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In our previous study, we found that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene genetic polymorphisms may play a major role in the efficacy of glucocorticoids (GCs) in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The aim of this study is to explore the association of GR gene genetic polymorphisms and improvement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Chinese SLE patients treated with GCs. A total of 195 Chinese SLE patients were treated with GCs for 12 weeks.

Gene-based meta-analysis of genome-wide association study data identifies independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ANXA6 as being associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian populations.

Objective: Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which were mainly based on single-variant analysis, have identified many systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility loci. However, the genetic architecture of this complex disease is far from being understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether using a gene-based analysis may help to identify novel loci, by considering global evidence of association from a gene or a genomic region rather than focusing on evidence for individual variants.

Associations Between PADI4 Gene Polymorphisms and Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Updated Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Studies investigating the association between the peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reported conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between PADI4 gene polymorphisms and RA.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies.

Emerging role of long noncoding RNAs in autoimmune diseases.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), with size larger than 200 nucleotides, is a new class of noncoding RNA. Emerging evidence has revealed that lncRNAs play a key role in the regulation of immunological functions and autoimmunity. Herein, we review the recent findings of lncRNA regulation in immune functions and in the development of autoimmunity and autoimmune disease.

Serum resistin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether serum resistin level was associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by comparing serum resistin levels between RA or SLE patients and normal controls. PubMed and EMBASE databases (up to May 13, 2014) were used to search all related articles. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random-effect model analysis.

Association of lymphotoxin alpha polymorphism with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of eligible studies to derive precise estimation of the associations of lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) 252 A>G polymorphism (rs909253) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk.

Method: Data were collected from the following electronic databases, including EMBASE, PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). A total of 19 studies (13 studies involving 1346 SLE patients and 1951 controls, six studies involving 1079 RA patients and 1057 controls) were included.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) levels in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM): A meta-analysis.

Aim: To derive a more precise estimation of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) levels in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) by meta-analysis.

Methods: PubMed and Embase databases were searched to identify all available studies comparing CIMT levels between T1DM group and control group. Meta-analysis was performed to compare the difference of overall mean CIMT levels between the two groups.