Increase in MEG3, MALAT1, NEAT1 significantly predicts the clinical parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim:This study investigated deregulation of lncRNAsMEG3, MALAT1, NEAT1and their associations with clinical parameters in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Materials & methods:LncRNAsMALAT1, MEG3, NEAT1were quantified from peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma of 82 RA patients with 15 matched controls and from knee fluid of 24 RA patients with ten osteoarthritis controls. Multivariate analyses were performed among lncRNAs and clinical parameters of RA.Results:MALAT1, MEG3, NEAT1were increased in PBMCs, plasma, synovial fluid (p < 0.05) of RA patients. Significant correlations were observed forMEG3with TJC (r = 0.29),NEAT1with TJC (r = 0.49), swollen joint count (r = 0.20), DAS28-CRP (r = 0.29). Multivariate analysis revealed that 48.5% of TJC and 31.5% of swollen joint count could be predicted by lncRNAs.Conclusion:The findings suggested that the lncRNAs might be explored as probable markers in monitoring disease activity.