Expression of circular RNAs ERN1, EYA1, and AKNAD1in Hashimoto Thyroiditis Patients

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a subtype of non-coding RNA, have circular covalently bonded structures. Numerous circRNAs play critical roles in the onset and course of many diseases, including autoimmune thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). They may also serve as vital new biomarkers for detecting and treating these conditions. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the expression of the genes hsa_circ_0045272 (ERN1), hsa_circ_0084764 (EYA1), and hsa_circ_000102 (AKNAD1) in HT disease.Methods: One hundred HT patients and one hundred control subjects with matched ages and genders were included in the study. Anti-thyroid peroxidase, antithyroglobulin (anti-TG), and thyroid hormone levels were assessed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized for assessing the amounts of circRNA expression in plasma. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for HT.Results: The circRNA ERN1 and EYA1 were significantly downregulated in HT patients in comparison with controls (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the studied groups regarding AKNAD1 expression (p=0.204). Significant positive correlations were observed in the HT group between ERN1 and waist circumference, HDL-C, and anti-TG. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ERN1 was one of the risk factors for Hashimoto thyroiditis.Conclusion: hsa_circ_0045272 (ERN1) and hsa_circ_0084764 (EYA1) were significantly downregulated in the HT patients, and these circRNAs could be potential biomarkers for HT disease.