Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 overexpression associates with increased exacerbation risk, severity, and inflammation, as well as decreased lung function through the interaction with microRNA-124 in asthma.

Background: This study aimed to explore the association of long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) with exacerbation risk, lung function, and inflammatory cytokines in asthma.

Methods: A total of 170 patients with asthma in exacerbation, 170 patients with asthma in remission, and 170 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled, and their plasma samples were collected. The expressions of lncRNA NEAT1 and microRNA-124 (miRNA-124) in plasma were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; inflammatory cytokines in plasma were measured by the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and pulmonary ventilation function was detected by examination of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC).

Results: LncRNA NEAT1 expression was upregulated in asthma patients in exacerbation compared with HCs and asthma patients in remission, and receiver operating characteristic curve exhibited that it was of good value in distinguishing asthma patients in exacerbation from HCs (AUC: 0.869 (0.830-0.908)) and asthma patients in remission (AUC: 0.775 (0.724-0.825)). Furthermore, lncRNA NEAT1 was positively correlated with exacerbation severity, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-17, but negatively correlated with IL-10, FEV /FVC and FEV %predicted in asthma patients. Additionally, lncRNA NEAT1 was negatively correlated with miR-124, and miR-124 was negatively associated with exacerbation risk, exacerbation severity, and inflammation, but positively associated with lung function in asthma patients.

Conclusion: Circulating lncRNA NEAT1 exhibits potential to be a new biomarker for elevated exacerbation risk and severity of asthma.