Bioinformatics-Driven Identification of LINC01792 and LINC01978 in MS Lesions: Exploring Their Potential as CSF and Blood Biomarkers (PP-21)

Background: The formation of demyelinated plaques in the brain and spinal cord is a hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Understanding the molecular basis of these lesions is essential for unraveling the disease's pathobiology. Despite advancements, the identification of reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression remains challenging. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their stability in bodily fluids and roles in immune regulation and neuroinflammation.
Methods: This study performed a bioinformatics-driven examination of lncRNAs differentially expressed in CNS lesions of MS patients. Using RNA-seq data from public sources (GSE60942, GSE138614), the analysis involved a detailed RNA-seq pipeline encompassing quality assessment, alignment, and differential expression calculations. Additionally, the stability and presence of these lncRNAs in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated using independent datasets (GSE140106, GSE173084) to assess their biomarker potential.
Results: Several lncRNAs exhibited significantly altered expression in MS lesions. Notably, LINC01792 and LINC01978, implicated in immune response modulation and inflammatory pathways, were detected in both serum and CSF, suggesting their potential as non-invasive biomarkers. Functional enrichment analysis revealed their involvement in critical biological processes related to immune regulation and neuroinflammation, highlighting their potential role in MS pathogenesis.
Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of lncRNAs, particularly LINC01792 and LINC01978, as biomarkers for MS. Their detection in serum and CSF suggests they could serve as valuable indicators of disease progression and therapeutic response. Future experimental validation and longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm their clinical utility, potentially leading to more effective monitoring and treatment strategies in MS.