Novel involvement of LMTK2 and EML6 in rheumatoid arthritis: potential biomarkers for disease activity and seronegative patients.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis, joint pain, and swelling, which can lead to disability and premature death. Increasing attention has focused on epigenetic mechanisms, including non-coding RNAs in circular and linear forms, in RA pathogenesis.

Purpose

This study aimed to identify novel supportive RNA-based biomarkers associated with RA disease activity.

Patients and methods

The discovery cohort included 18 RA patients and 10 healthy controls (HCs). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed using targeted RNA sequencing, encompassing both linear (LINOUT) and circular (CIRC) RNA forms, to assess differences between RA patients and HCs, as well as between high (HDA; D

SUBMITTER: Kubis H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12932525 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature