To explore the functional role of circNUP214 in myasthenia gravis (MG) and clarify its regulatory mechanism on CD4+ T cell proliferation via the miR-31/NFAT5 ceRNA axis.
Approach:
Sample Collection: 40 MG patients and 40 healthy controls were recruited; PBMCs and CD4+ T cells were isolated for analysis.
Expression Analysis: CircNUP214 expression was measured in PBMCs and CD4+ T cells using qRT-PCR.
Functional Assays: The effect of circNUP214 on CD4+ T cell proliferation was evaluated, and its interaction with miR-31 was confirmed.
Mechanistic Studies: The regulatory effect of circNUP214 on NFAT5 expression was assessed through rescue experiments in Jurkat cells.
Key Findings:
CircNUP214 expression was significantly elevated in PBMCs and CD4+ T cells from MG patients compared to healthy controls.
CircNUP214 promoted CD4+ T cell proliferation, while its knockdown suppressed this process.
CircNUP214 directly bound miR-31 and upregulated NFAT5 by sponging miR-31.
Interpretation:
CircNUP214 may contribute to aberrant CD4+ T cell proliferation in MG through the circNUP214/miR-31/NFAT5 regulatory axis.
Limitations:
The study was limited to a specific patient population and may not be generalizable.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Conclusion:
CircNUP214 is implicated in the pathogenesis of MG by regulating CD4+ T cell proliferation via the miR-31/NFAT5 axis.
