Long non-coding RNAs in ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the large intestine, influenced by various factors such as genetics, environment, gut contents, and the host's immune system. It has been reported that epigenetic factors, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and DNA methylation, play a role in UC development. The contribution of lncRNAs to UC pathogenesis is not fully understood. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly study lncRNAs for their relevance in UC pathogenesis. This thesis aims to understand lncRNAs in UC and their potential impact on how the disease develops. In the initial study, a group of uncharacterized lncRNAs was identified, demonstrating the potential to distinguish UC patients from the control group. Subsequently, the second study found several UC-associated lncRNAs that might be regulated by DNA methylation. Methylation-regulated lncRNAs may play a regulatory role in the expression of genes associated with inflammation, immune responses, and intestinal barrier integrity. In the third study, data from publicly available datasets were combined to identify commonly differentially expressed lncRNAs in UC. Many lncRNAs associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) were found to be commonly differentially expressed in publicly available UC datasets. The study also highlighted the complexity associated with combining data from different studies. Altogether, this study highlights the potential contribution of lncRNAs in UC pathogenesis, adding to our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of disease development. The results of this study may serve as the foundation for identifying diagnostic markers and therapeutic interventions.