lnc-THRIL and miR-125b relate to disease risk, severity, and imbalance of Th1 cells/Th2 cells in allergic rhinitis

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor and HNRNPL-related immunoregulatory long noncoding RNA (lnc-THRIL) and its target microRNA (miR)-125b are reported to regulate immune response through several means by participating in allergic rhinitis (AR) pathology. This study aimed to investigate the role of lnc-THRIL and miR-125b in detecting AR risk, and to further explore their correlation with disease severity and cytokines released from T helper type (Th) 1 and Th2 in AR patients.

Methods: A total of 160 AR patients and 80 subjects with severe snoring symptoms (as controls) were recruited. Nasal mucosa samples were collected to measure the expressions of lnc-THRIL, miR-125b, and Th1 and Th2 cytokines by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The expression of lnc-THRIL decreased while that of miR-125b increased in AR patients when compared with that of controls, and further receiver operating characteristic curve showed that both could well distinguish AR patients from controls. Furthermore, lnc-THRIL negatively correlated with miR-125b in AR patients. lnc-THRIL was negatively correlated with Individual Nasal Symptom Score (INSS) (including nasal rhinorrhea score, sneezing score, and congestion score) and Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), and miR-125b was positively associated with INSS (including itching score, sneezing score, and congestion score) and TNSS. Moreover, lnc-THRIL was correlated with increased Th1 cytokines (interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2) but with decreased Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), while miR-125b exhibited opposite trends in AR patients.

Conclusion: lnc-THRIL and its target (miR-125b) relate to disease risk, symptom severity, and Th1/Th2 imbalance of AR, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for AR management.