Molecular classification of different forms of arthritis using relative expression analysis of lipid metabolism regulatory molecules

Abstract

IntroductionThe most obvious manifestation of arthritis involves inflammation and damage in synovial joints, whereas effect of lipid metabolism regulatory changes is barely understood. Clinical conditions of lipid abnormality in arthritis patients suggest role of altered lipid metabolism regulation in widespread inflammation-driven metabolic changes. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate the quantitative response of different lipid-binding transcriptional and post-transcriptional networks for understanding the effect of metabolic changes among three different forms of arthritis. MethodsA total of 48 individuals (36 patients and 12 healthy controls) were included in this study. The 36 patient samples were distributed in three different categories of arthritis (osteoarthritis; n = 12, osteoporosis; n = 12 and rheumatoid arthritis; n = 12) based on their clinical parameters without overlapping inflammatory diseases. Peripheral blood samples were collected and used for gene transcripts (HFABP-4, HPSP and mTOR) and miRNAs (miRNA-124 and miRNA-497) expression analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ResultsAmong three different gene transcripts, HFABP-4 was found to have significant increased levels in osteoporosis patients, while HPSP showed significantly increased levels in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients. No significant change was observed for mTOR in all three different forms of arthritis patients. Both the miRNAs (miRNA-124 and miRNA-497) had significant increased levels in osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis patients in circulation. ConclusionThe present study has demonstrated that relative expression analysis of circulating lipid metabolism regulatory molecules plays significant role in molecular classification of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis conditions.