[DNA methylation status of miR-126 and its host gene EGFL7 in CD4+ T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To explore the mechanisms by which DNA methylation regulates miR-126 and its host gene EGFL7 in CD4+ T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We analyzed the expression and the DNA methylation status within promoter region of EGFL7 and miR-126 by real-time qPCR and bisulfite genomic sequencing analysis.

Results: miR-126 and EGFL7 mRNA expression was upregulated in CD4+ T cells from SLE compared with that from healthy controls (P<0.01). EGFL7 mRNA level was positively correlated with miR-126 expression in CD4+ T cells from SLE (r=0.538, P=0.015). The average methylation level of EGFL7 promoter in CD4+ T cells from SLE was lower than that from healthy controls (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The upregulation of miR-126 and its host gene EGFL7 expression in CD4+ T cells from SLE is associated with the hypomethylation of the EGFL7 promoter.