Non-Coding RNAs in CD4+ T Cells: New Insights Into the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Xiaofei Gao; Limin Liu; Xiaoli Min; Sujie Jia; Ming Zhao

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.00568

Non-Coding RNAs in CD4⁺ T Cells: New Insights Into the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Front Immunol. 2020 Apr 3:11:568. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00568. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Xiaofei Gao¹, Limin Liu¹, Xiaoli Min¹, Sujie Jia², Ming Zhao¹

Affiliations

¹ Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
² Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are indispensable for CD4⁺ T cell differentiation and functions. By directly or indirectly regulating immune gene expression, ncRNAs give flexible instructions to guide the biological processes of CD4⁺ T cells and play a vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis. However, the dysfunction of ncRNAs alters the gene expression profiles, disturbs the normal biological processes of CD4⁺ T cells, and leads to the functional changes of CD4⁺ T cells, which is an underlying cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the roles of ncRNAs in CD4⁺ T cell functions and differentiation, as well as their potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE.

Keywords: CD4+ T cells; T helper cells; biomarkers; non-coding RNAs; systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / genetics*
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
RNA, Untranslated / genetics*
RNA, Untranslated / immunology*

Substances

RNA, Untranslated