The Long Noncoding RNA IFNG-AS1 Promotes T Helper Type 1 Cells Response in Patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 4:5:17702. doi: 10.1038/srep17702.

Abstract

The long noncoding (lnc) RNA-Ifng-AS1 plays an essential role in the transcription of the gene encoding IFN-γ by Th1 cells, and its human ortholog, IFNG-AS1, is expressed in human Th1 cells. However, IFNG-AS1 contributing to Th1 cells' response in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients has not been reported. Twenty-eight HT patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The proportion of circulating Th1 cells and the level of T-bet, IFNG mRNA were increased in HT patients, the expression of IFNG-AS1 was upregulated and positively correlated with the proportion of circulating Th1 cells or T-bet, and IFNG expression, or serum level of anti-thyroglobulin antibody/thyroperoxidase antibody in HT patients. IFNG-AS1 regulated the expression of IFNG at both transcriptional and translational level in human CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, strong positive correlations between the increased transcript level of IFNG-AS1 and the increased transcript level of T-bet or IFNG were revealed in thyroid tissues from HT patients. Our results indicate that enhanced expression of lncRNA-IFNG-AS1 contributes to Th1 cell response in HT patients and may be involved in the pathogenesis of HT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hashimoto Disease / blood
  • Hashimoto Disease / genetics*
  • Hashimoto Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / blood*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / pathology
  • Thyroglobulin / blood
  • Thyroid Gland / metabolism
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • IFNG protein, human
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Thyroglobulin