Background: A persistent autoimmune condition with a variety of symptoms is systemic
lupus erythematosus. Reliable biomarkers that support diagnosis and reflect disease
activity remain clinically valuable Objectives: Our study pointed out to assess Nuclear
enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) expression as a diagnostic marker for SLE and
to explore association with activity and severity of the disease. Methodology: Twenty
age and sex-matched healthy controls and thirty SLE patients who met SLICC criteria
were included in this case-control study. NEAT1 expression was relatively quantified in
PBMCs utilizing quantitative real-time PCR. Standard laboratory indices (ESR, CRP,
complements, ANA) were assessed and anti-dsDNA was detected by using indirect
immunofluorescent test (IIFT) also SLEDAI score was used to measure disease activity.
Results: Females predominated among SLE cases (83.3% vs 70.0% in controls;
P=0.311) with no significant age difference (33.60±11.04 vs 31.15±10.26 years;
P=0.367). Expression level of NEAT1 was higher in cases than controls (9.62±29.02 vs
8.41±19.55; P=0.010). NEAT1 positively correlated with 24-hour proteinuria ( P