Abstract
LncRNA-ATB (lncRNA was activated by transforming growth factor-β) has been reported to be involved in specific physiological and pathological processes in human diseases, and could serve as biomarkers for cancers. However, the role of lncRNA-ATB in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between lncRNA-ATB and CWP. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect plasma lncRNA-ATB expression in 137 CWP patients, 72 healthy coal miners and 168 healthy controls. LncRNA-ATB was significantly upregulated in CWP (p < 0.05). Compared with the healthy controls and healthy coal miners, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for CWP were 2.57 (1.52–4.33) and 2.17 (1.04–4.53), respectively. LncRNA-ATB was positively associated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (r = 0.30, p = 0.003) and negative correlated with vital capacity (VC) (r = −0.18, p = 0.033) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = −0.18, p = 0.046) in CWP patients. Compared with healthy controls, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.84, resulting in a 71.17% sensitivity and 88.14% specificity. When compared with healthy coal miners, the AUC was 0.83, the sensitivity and specificity were 70.07% and 86.36%, respectively. LncRNA-ATB expression is commonly increased in CWP and significantly correlates with the TGF-β1 in CWP patients. Furthermore, elevated lncRNA-ATB was associated with CWP risk and may serve as a potential biomarker for CWP.
Highlights
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), identified by pulmonary parenchyma fibrosis, is a chronic occupational lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of dust in the workplace [1]
We found that silica-induced fibrosis was regulated by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was activated by the upregulated transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) [21]
Compared with healthy controls and healthy coal miners, lncRNA-ATB was a higher expression in the plasma of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) patients (p < 0.05) (Figure 1)
Summary
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), identified by pulmonary parenchyma fibrosis, is a chronic occupational lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of dust in the workplace [1]. Pathologic features of CWP involve focal collections of dust and reticulin around the small airways, fibrotic lesions exhibiting irregularly arranged collagen, and lesions of massive fibrosis [2,3]. Prevention efforts have been required to implement for decades, CWP is still one of high incidence occupational diseases worldwide, especially in China [4]. Periodic medical screenings for pneumoconiosis normally include chest radiography and spirometry. Abnormal signs of both tests are often displayed in the late course of the underlying disease. Many workers could not get timely diagnoses and lost opportunities for prevention or treatment. Novel potential biomarkers for detecting CWP deserved more attention
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