Background: Abnormal expression and function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT-1) gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with susceptibility and clinical characteristics of SLE patients. Methods: A case-control study including 489 SLE patients and 492 healthy controls was conducted. Four MALAT-1 SNPs (rs4102217, rs591291, rs11227209, and rs619586) were genotyped in all subjects, their correlation with SLE susceptibility and clinical characteristics were also analyzed. Results: Results showed that the rs4102217 locus was associated with the risk of SLE. In recessive models, the GG+CG genotype of rs4102217 was associated with the decreased risk of SLE compared to CC (p = 0.036, OR = 0.348, 95% CI: 0.124-0.975). In additive models, the GG genotype of rs4102217 was associated with the decreased risk of SLE compared to CC (p = 0.040, OR = 0.355, 95% CI: 0.127-0.996). However, no association was found between MALAT-1 gene polymorphism and clinical manifestations of SLE (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, MALAT-1 rs4102217 is associated with susceptibility to SLE, suggesting that MALAT-1 may play a role in SLE.
Keywords: MALAT-1; Systemic lupus erythematosus; long non-coding RNAs; single-nucleotide polymorphisms.