Non-coding RNA NEAT-1 and interleukin-6 as diagnostic indicators for vitiligo

Abstract

Vitiligo belongs to chronic autoimmune diseases and results in a loss of functioning melanocytes and skin depigmentation. Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT-1) is a long non-coding RNA that has a vital role in the diagnostics and treatment of certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It is suggested that NEAT-1 can increase the pro-inflammatory cytokine level via regulatory network. The aim of the work was to measure the serum level of NEAT-1 and IL-6 in vitiligo patients compared with healthy controls and to estimate its relation to disease activity. In the study, 60 individuals were enrolled subdivided into 40 vitiligo patients and 20 healthy controls of similar age and gender. NEAT-1 expression was detected by Quantitative real-time PCR, and IL-6 level was measured by ELISA. To assess the severity of the disease Vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) was calculated. Results showed that there was a significant increase in both NEAT-1 and IL-6 levels in vitiligo patients compared with the control group. A positive correlation between NEAT-1 and IL-6 levels­ and a negative correlation between NEAT-1 level and VASI score was revealed. The elevated serum levels­ of NEAT-1 and IL-6 suggest that these circulating biomarkers have promise as diagnostic indicators for vitiligo and possible targets for therapeutic interventions. Keywords: IL-6, NEAT-1, non-coding RNA, serum, vitiligo