Expression Levels of lncRNA NEAT1, miRNA-21, and IL-17 in a Group of Egyptian Patients with Behçet’s Disease: Relation to Disease Manifestations and Activity

Wafaa H Hussein,1 Hala Ramadan,2 Safa Labib,2 Gehan A Hegazy,3,4 Olfat G Shaker,5 Sherif M Yusuf,6 Mohammed A Hassanien,7 Maysa M Haroon1 1Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 2Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Clinical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 4Medical Division Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt; 5Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 6Internal Medicine Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 7Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Maysa M Haroon, Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, 71 El Kasr El Aini Street, P.O. Box 11562, Cairo, Egypt, Tel +201025868370, Email [email protected]: Long noncoding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs), small noncoding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) as well as some cytokines are recently thought to have a role in many inflammatory and autoimmune disorders including Behçet’s disease (BD). This chronic multisystem disease lacks the particular histological or laboratory findings that might aid in its diagnosis. Therefore, any association with such molecules may have an impact on understanding the disease pathogenesis and/or management. The current study compared the levels of NEAT1, miR-21 and IL17 levels in sera of Egyptian BD patients and healthy individuals. The expression levels of these molecules were further investigated for their association with BD manifestations and activity aiming to explore their potential application in disease management.Results: NEAT1 & miR-21 showed down-regulation while IL-17 showed up-regulation among BD patients as compared to controls. IL-17 had significant correlation with major vessels involvement and cyclophosphamide intake. NEAT1 showed a significant negative correlation with colchicine intake. Disease activity did not correlate significantly with any of NEAT1, miR-21 or IL-17.Conclusion: NEAT1, miR-21 and IL17 might have a role in Behçet’s disease pathogenesis, so more research is needed to unveil that role and their potential usage as biomarkers for the diagnosis or therapeutic targets.Keywords: long noncoding ribonucleic acids, microRNAs, NEAT1, miR-21, IL-17, Behçet’s disease