Aberrant expressions of circulating lncRNA NEAT1 and microRNA-125a are linked with Th2 cells and symptom severity in pediatric allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (lnc-NEAT1) and its target microRNA-125a (miR-125a) are reported to regulate immune and inflammation process in allergic rhinitis (AR). Hence, this study intended to investigate the correlation between lnc-NEAT1 and miR-125a expressions, as well as their clinical values in pediatric AR patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from 80 pediatric AR patients, 40 disease controls (DCs), and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were collected to detect lnc-NEAT1 and miR-125a expressions by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. For pediatric AR patients only, serum interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; meanwhile, T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells in CD4+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Lnc-NEAT1 was overexpressed, while miR-125a downregulated in pediatric AR patients compared to DCs and HCs (all p < 0.001). Moreover, lnc-NEAT1 expression negatively correlated with miR-125a expression in pediatric AR patients (p = 0.002), but not in DCs (p = 0.226) or HCs (p = 0.237). Furthermore, in pediatric AR patients, lnc-NEAT1 expression positively associated with TNSS (p < 0.001), sneezing score (p = 0.006), and congestion score (p = 0.008); miR-125a expression was negatively related to TNSS (p < 0.001), itching score (p = 0.040), and sneezing score (p = 0.005). Additionally, lnc-NEAT1 expression positively, while miR-125a expression negatively correlated with Th2 cells and IL-10 (all p < 0.05), but they were not correlated with Th1 cells or IFN-γ in pediatric AR patients. CONCLUSION: Circulating lnc-NEAT1 and miR-125a are aberrantly expressed and linked with Th2 cells and symptom severity in pediatric allergic rhinitis.

Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 promotes Th2 differentiation by regulating microRNA-135b-5p/GATA-3 axis in children with allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) threatens patient survival. CD4+ T cells play key roles in AR progression. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of cell differentiation. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanism of the lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in AR. Expression levels of MALAT1, microRNA (miR)-135b-5p, interleukin-4 (IL-4), and GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) in the nasal mucosa of AR patients were quantified. CD4+ T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers and treated with ovalbumin (OVA) and Th2 inducers. After MALAT1 and miR-135b-5p levels changed in CD4+ T cells, the proportion of IL-4-expressing cells and the levels of IL-4 and GATA-3 in OVA-induced CD4+ T cells were determined. Binding relationships among MALAT1, miR-135b-5p, and GATA-3 were predicted and verified. Rescue experiments were performed to confirm the role of the MALAT1/miR-135b-5p/GATA-3 axis in Th2 differentiation of CD4+ T cells. MALAT1, IL-4, and GATA-3 expression was upregulated, whereas miR-135b-5p expression was downregulated, in patients with AR. MALAT1 knockdown or miR-135b-5p overexpression in CD4+ T cells notably decreased the proportion of IL-4-expressing cells and downregulated GATA-3 and IL-4 expression in OVA-induced CD4+ T cells. MALAT1 and GATA-3 exhibited competitive binding toward miR-135b-5p. MALAT1 facilitated CD4+ T cell Th2 differentiation via the miR-135b-5p/GATA-3 axis. MALAT1 facilitated AR development by facilitating CD4+ T cell Th2 differentiation via the miR-135b-5p/GATA-3 axis. This study may provide guidance for clinical treatment of AR.

A straight pin foreign body in a child: ingested or aspirated?

BACKGROUND: Though foreign body (FB) aspiration or ingestion is not uncommon in children, a straight pin as the culprit FB is rarely seen. The nature of such a FB makes it sometimes difficult to diagnose and deal with, especially in children. CASE REPORT: Here we present such a case who was initially misdiagnosed with FB ingestion but turned out to be an aspiration case. Moreover, its remote location from the hilum made a more invasive surgical retrieval inevitable. A thoracotomy was finally performed to retrieve the pin. And the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: For pediatric FB cases, especially in such a case, it is very important to diagnose timely and accurately. A multidisciplinary team approach would facilitate prompt and accurate diagnosis and potentially simplify treatment.