LncRNA XLOC_003810 modulates thymic Th17/Treg balance in myasthenia gravis with thymoma

Abstract

Imbalance of T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) cells is involved in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis with thymoma (MG‐T). Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in the regulation of Th17/Treg balance. This study was designed to explore the role of XLOC_003810, a novel lncRNA, in regulating the Th17/Treg balance in MG‐T. The thymic CD4⁺ T cells were isolated from control subjects and MG‐T patients. The Th17/Treg balance was evaluated by determining proportions of Th17 and Treg cells and expression of Th17‐ and Treg‐ associated molecules. Lentivirus‐mediated silencing and overexpression of XLOC_003810 in CD4⁺ T cells was performed. The results showed that XLOC_003810 expression was higher in MG‐T thymic CD4⁺ T cells than that in the control group. Furthermore, ratio of Th17/Treg cells, proportion of Th17 cells and levels of Th17‐associated molecules were significantly increased, whereas the proportion of Treg cells and levels of Treg‐associated molecules were decreased in MG‐T thymic CD4⁺ T cells. Importantly, the Th17/Treg imbalance in MG‐T thymic CD4⁺ T cells was aggravated by XLOC_003810 overexpression, whereas attenuated by XLOC_003810 silencing. Collectively, XLOC_003810 modulates thymic Th17/Treg balance in MG‐T patients, providing the scientific basis for the clinical targeted therapy of MG‐T.