Auto-immune diseases are chronic disorders where the immune system attacks the body’s own cells due to a loss of immune tolerance to self-antigens. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a histologically heterogeneous autoimmune disease that is defined by the development of autoantibodies directed against nuclear antigens. Epigenetic factors, including methylation, histone modification, and especially noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.
MicroRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (LncRNA), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are the most significant types of ncRNAs. Studies have shown that ncRNAs play a crucial role in B-cell activation and the development of SLE by the B-cell activation and the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), type I interferons (IFN-I), and tumor growth factor (TGF) signaling pathways. In this review, we will discuss the factors involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, especially microRNAs and LncRNAs, and their possible therapeutic use in the course of the disease.
The development of an immune response in genetically predisposed individuals, triggered by factors such as microorganisms and drugs, can lead to autoimmune disorders. Despite the availability of many medications, there is still no definite cure for these disorders. SLE is a chronic disease with a wide range of medical symptoms caused by complicated mechanisms such as incorrect apoptosis, dysregulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems, and complement activation.
The pattern of clinical presentations differs from person to person, highlighting the relevance of genetic and environmental variables in this disease. NcRNAs, although they do not participate in protein synthesis, play a crucial role in controlling gene expression due to their formation of methylation, histone modification, and other factors. Understanding the role of these ncRNAs in the pathophysiology of SLE provides a deeper understanding of the disease and opens up new opportunities to develop targeted therapies.
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Sources: Afrashteh Nour, Mina, et al. “The emerging role of noncoding RNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus: new insights into the master regulators of disease pathogenesis.” Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease 14 (2023): 20406223231153572.
