LncRNA-BG Inhibited Th17 Cells Differentiation By Targeting RORγt Protein.

Abstract Background: In our previous study, we obtained lncRNA-BG related to COPD through high-throughput screening, but we could not determine the specific mechanism involved. To this responds, here, we designed this study to verify whether lncRNA-BG could regulate the differentiation of Th17 cells and its mechanism. Methods: The interaction between lncRNA-BG and RORγt protein was predicted using bioinformatics approaches. This was then confirmed by RNA pull down and dual luciferase reporter assay. The correlation between lncRNA-BG and Th17 cell differentiation was verified among patients with COPD and in vitro culture experiment. Meanwhile, the regulatory effect of lncRNA-BG on Th17 cell differentiation was determined by regulation the expression level of lncRNA-BG. Results: LncRNA-BG could bind with RORγt protein and inhibit the differentiation of Th17 cells. LncRNA-BG was significantly negatively correlated with Th17 differentiation in patients with COPD and in vitro experiment. The decrease level of LncRNA-BG could promote Th17 differentiation, while the increase level of LncRNA-BG could inhibit Th17 differentiation. Conclusion: LncRNA-BG directly targets RORγt protein, inhibits the mutual binding of RORγt and IL-17 gene promoter, and eventually inhibits Th17 differentiation. LncRNA-BG as a potential target may confer applications in the clinical treatment and diagnosis of Th17-related diseases.