lncRNA STAT4-AS1 Inhibited TH17 Cell Differentiation by Targeting RORt Protein.

OBJECTIVE

From our previous study, we obtained long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) STAT4-AS1, which is related to asthma through high-throughput screening. However, we could not determine the specific mechanism involved and in response to this. We further designed this study.

RESULTS

First, we found that lncRNA STAT4-AS1 was downregulated in T cells from patients with asthma when compared to healthy controls. Next, we confirmed that lncRNA STAT4-AS1 was significantly negatively correlated with T helper 17 (TH17) differentiation in vitro experiments. The decreases of STAT4-AS1 promoted TH17 differentiation, while the increases of STAT4-AS1 inhibited TH17 differentiation. Subsequently, through RNA pull-down, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), and dual luciferase reporter assay, we found that STAT4-AS1 could inhibit the binding of retinoid-related orphan receptor-t (RORt) protein with an IL-17A promoter after binding with RORt protein. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and nuclear-cytoplasmic separation assay showed that STAT4-AS1 is bonded to RORt in the cytoplasm, preventing RORt from entering the nucleus.

CONCLUSION

Overall, STAT4-AS1 directly targets RORt protein, inhibits the mutual binding of RORt and IL-17 gene promoter, and eventually inhibits TH17 differentiation. To this end, STAT4-AS1 as a potential target may confer applications in the clinical treatment and diagnosis of TH17-related diseases.