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Expanding Roles of Noncoding RNAs in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (G Tsokos, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Rheumatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The exact pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. Accumulating finds have indicated the roles of the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) acting as novel epigenetic regulatory elements in the dysfunction of the immune system in SLE. This review will introduce recent studies on how ncRNAs are involved in the development of SLE.

Recent Findings

Recent advances in ncRNAs biology have greatly expanded our understanding of epigenetic regulation of immune responses and inflammation, and increasing evidence suggests ncRNAs are important players in SLE development. Identifications of abnormal expression patterns of ncRNAs and relevant biological impacts in lupus patients have revealed their potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SLE.

Summary

The dysregulation of ncRNAs contributes to the immunopathogenesis of SLE. Clarifying the functions and mechanisms of SLE-associated ncRNAs provides new opportunities for disease biomarkers and targeted therapies.

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Funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31630021, 31930037, and 81102266), National Human Genetic Resources Sharing Service Platform (2005DKA21300), Shanghai Municipal Key Medical Center Construction Project (2017ZZ01024-002), Shenzhen Science and Technology Project (JCYJ20180504170414637), Futian Healthcare Research Project (FTWS2021006), Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen (SZSM201602087), and Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Rheumatism and Immune Diseases (20MC1920300).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai, 200001, China

    Yiwei Shen, Bo Qu & Nan Shen

  2. Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, 518040, China

    Bo Qu & Nan Shen

  3. Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Nan Shen

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Nan Shen

  5. State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM), Shanghai, 200032, China

    Nan Shen

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  1. Yiwei Shen
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Correspondence to Nan Shen.

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Shen, Y., Qu, B. & Shen, N. Expanding Roles of Noncoding RNAs in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rep 24, 64–75 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-022-01058-6

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