High level of lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 predict the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether dysregulation of NR2F1-AS1 is associated with the T2D onset and DR progression. A total of 269 individuals diagnosed with T2D were recruited in this study, including 111 individuals with uncomplicated T2D and 158 individuals with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). A total of 48 among the NPDR individuals developed into proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), excepting that 6 individuals were dropped out. RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression of NR2F1-AS1 level in blood. The correlations between NR2F1-AS1 expression and other parameters were tested by Pearson correlation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for evaluating the diagnostic value of NR2F1-AS1 as a biochemical indicator detecting T2D and PDR. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariable analysis was used to evaluate the predictive power of NR2F1-AS1 for incidence of PDR. A significant increase in blood NR2F1-AS1 in uncomplicated T2D, NPDR, and PDR patients was found when compared to healthy subjects. Significant correlations between NR2F1-AS1 expression and the level of fasting glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c were revealed. Furthermore, NR2F1-AS1 represented distinguishing ability in T2D individuals from healthy subjects and PDR individuals from NPDR individuals. NR2F1-AS1 also showed strong predictive ability for PDR. The examination of blood NR2F1-AS1 may be used as a noninvasive biomarker for screening of T2D and early diagnosis of DR. NR2F1-AS1 may also be used as a promising novel biomarker for prediction PDR. NR2F1-AS1 may play a role in the progression of DR by moderating EndMT.