lnc-THRIL and miR-125b relate to disease risk, severity, and imbalance of Th1 cells/Th2 cells in allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor and HNRNPL-related immunoregulatory long noncoding RNA (lnc-THRIL) and its target microRNA (miR)-125b are reported to regulate immune response through several means by participating in allergic rhinitis (AR) pathology. This study aimed to investigate the role of lnc-THRIL and miR-125b in detecting AR risk, and to further explore their correlation with disease severity and cytokines released from T helper type (Th) 1 and Th2 in AR patients. METHODS: A total of 160 AR patients and 80 subjects with severe snoring symptoms (as controls) were recruited. Nasal mucosa samples were collected to measure the expressions of lnc-THRIL, miR-125b, and Th1 and Th2 cytokines by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expression of lnc-THRIL decreased while that of miR-125b increased in AR patients when compared with that of controls, and further receiver operating characteristic curve showed that both could well distinguish AR patients from controls. Furthermore, lnc-THRIL negatively correlated with miR-125b in AR patients. lnc-THRIL was negatively correlated with Individual Nasal Symptom Score (INSS) (including nasal rhinorrhea score, sneezing score, and congestion score) and Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), and miR-125b was positively associated with INSS (including itching score, sneezing score, and congestion score) and TNSS. Moreover, lnc-THRIL was correlated with increased Th1 cytokines (interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2) but with decreased Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), while miR-125b exhibited opposite trends in AR patients. CONCLUSION: lnc-THRIL and its target (miR-125b) relate to disease risk, symptom severity, and Th1/Th2 imbalance of AR, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for AR management.

Rediscovery of an elusive species, Halpe sikkima Moore, 1882 (Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae) from Hainan, China.

Almost 70 years after its first record from Hainan by Evans in 1949, the second specimen of Halpe sikkima Moore, 1882 was found on the island. The male genitalia of this species are illustrated and re-described. The COI sequence is published for the first time.