lncRNA expression analysis in patients with eosinophilic and neutrophilic asthma

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) are known to be important in many diseases. There has been some reports that lncRNA take part in the pathogenesis of systemic inflammation of asthma. lncRNA regulates gene transcription, protein expression and epigenetic regulation. However, the lncRNAs associated with differently airway phenotype such as eosinophilic and neutrophilic asthma remains unknown. We aimed at identifying the differences in circulating lncRNA signature in Eos and Neu samples. lncRNA expression were studied between blood samples from Eos patients, Neu patients and healthy individuals (Control). Bioinformatic analysis was used to describe relevant biological pathways. Using quantitative real-time PCR, lncRNA expression was measured. Comparing with Control samples, Eos sample has 190 own lncRNA and Neu sample has 166 own lncRNA(difference ≥ 2-fold). KEGG pathway annotation data and GO terms revealed that several lncRNAs are possibly associated with respective phenotype. lncRNA was identifying to differ significantly between Eos and Neu samples by using qRT-PCR. The results show us that lncRNA may be involved in different phenotypes of asthma. Whether we can recognize different phenotypes of asthma through these lncRNA (as biomarkers) needs further study. Patients with eosinophilic asthma (Eos, n = 12) and neutrophilic asthma (Neu, n = 6) were selected in the study according the accepted standard (Eos: induced sputum eosinophil count >3% and neutrophils <63%; Neu: induced sputum eosinophil count <3% and neutrophils>63% )1. Exclusion criteria contained recent (within the past weeks) respiratory tract infection, recent unstable asthma, recent asthma exacerbation, current smoking (or a history of smoking, within 6 months of cessation), and changes in maintenance therapy. All participants were selected from the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, and all participants have been given informed consent before their inclusion. Healthy individuals were selected as Control samples (n = 6). The results show us that lncRNA may be involved in different phenotypes of asthma. Whether we can recognize different phenotypes of asthma through these lncRNA (as biomarkers) needs further study. This dataset is related to GSE106230