Bioinformatics analysis of the inflammation-associated lncRNA- mRNA co-expression network in type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background The present study mined key lncRNAs and their functions related to inflammation in type 2 diabetes by constructing a lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network based on bioinformatics technology to discover new markers or therapeutic targets. Results We finally obtained 12 genes, including A1BG-AS1, AC084125.4, RAMP2-AS1, FTX, DBH-AS1, LOXL1-AS1, LINC00893, LINC00894, PVT1, RUSC1-AS1, HCG25, and ATP1B3-AS1. RT-qPCR verified that A1BG-AS1, HCG25, and LOXL1-AS1 were upregulated in the HG + LPS-induced THP-1 cell model, and DBH-AS1 was downregulated in the HG + LPS-induced THP-1 cell model. Conclusions LncRNAs and mRNAs are extensively linked and form a co-expression network, and lncRNAs may influence the development of type 2 diabetes by regulating the corresponding mRNAs. The four key genes obtained may become biomarkers of inflammation in type 2 diabetes in the future.