# TRIM8-associated non-coding RNA panel as a biomarker for Lupus nephritis activity

## TL;DR

This study identifies a panel of non-coding RNAs linked to the TRIM8 gene as potential non-invasive biomarkers for tracking lupus nephritis activity.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel TRIM8-associated non-coding RNA panel as a potential biomarker for lupus nephritis.

## Key findings

- TRIM8 mRNA and lnc-SSBP2-1:1 are significantly upregulated in active lupus nephritis.
- hsa-miR-126-5p is significantly downregulated in active lupus nephritis.
- The biomarkers show high diagnostic accuracy (AUCs > 0.93) in distinguishing active from inactive lupus nephritis.

## Abstract

Lupus nephritis (LN) represents a major complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of this study was to evaluate the TRIM8 gene and its associated non-coding RNAs (lnc-SSBP2-1:1 and hsa-miR-126-5p) as potential non-invasive biomarkers for LN activity.

Bioinformatics analyses were initially employed to identify candidate mRNA and associated non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) implicated in LN. Expression profiles of TRIM8lnc-SSBP2-1:1and hsa-miR-126-5p were validated in blood samples from 40 active LN, 30 inactive LN patients, and 20 healthy individuals via real-time PCR.

TRIM8 mRNA and lnc-SSBP2-1:1 lncRNA levels were notably upregulated in active LN (p < 0.001), while hsa-miR-126-5p was reduced (p < 0.001). SLEDAI-2K scores correlated positively with TRIM8 mRNA and lnc-SSBP2-1:1, and negatively with hsa-miR-126-5p.

This study highlights TRIM8-associated ncRNA regulatory network as promising biomarkers in LN activωity, with potential clinical impact.

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-025-07137-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

TRIM8 and lnc-SSBP2-1:1 are upregulated, hsa-miR-126-5p is downregulated in active LNBiomarkers strongly correlated with SLEDAI-2K disease activity scoresHigh diagnostic accuracy (AUCs > 0.93) in distinguishing active vs inactive LNPotential non-invasive tool to complement current LN monitoring

TRIM8 and lnc-SSBP2-1:1 are upregulated, hsa-miR-126-5p is downregulated in active LN

Biomarkers strongly correlated with SLEDAI-2K disease activity scores

High diagnostic accuracy (AUCs > 0.93) in distinguishing active vs inactive LN

Potential non-invasive tool to complement current LN monitoring

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-025-07137-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.