# Altered MCF2L-AS1 expression and correlation with the prognosis of diabetic nephropathy

## TL;DR

This study finds that MCF2L-AS1, a long non-coding RNA, is reduced in diabetic nephropathy and may help predict the condition.

## Contribution

The study identifies MCF2L-AS1 as a potential biomarker for diabetic nephropathy with diagnostic accuracy.

## Key findings

- MCF2L-AS1 expression is significantly lower in early and late diabetic nephropathy compared to controls.
- MCF2L-AS1 negatively correlates with microalbuminuria, a marker of kidney damage.
- MCF2L-AS1 shows diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing diabetic nephropathy from non-kidney disease cases.

## Abstract

Although diabetic nephropathy (DN) stands as a prominent complication in individuals with diabetes, the specific molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we focused on one newly discovered lncRNA, MCF2L-AS1, and its target gene, BCOR, in individuals with various levels of DN. Twenty-eight participants with different stages of DN (14 early stage and 14 late stage), 12 non-diabetic individuals, and 12 with T2DM without microvascular complications were selected. The qPCR was done, and one-way ANOVA assessed gene expression. ROC curves analysis and Spearman correlations between levels of expression and clinicopathological parameters were explored. The expression of MCF2L-AS1 decreased in the early and late DN groups compared to the type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively) and non-diabetic groups (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). However, BCOR gene expression analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.27). MCF2L-AS1 levels negatively correlated with microalbuminuria (P = 0.003, r = −0.41), but not with creatinine (Cr) (P = 0.058, r = −0.29). Moreover, there was no correlation between BCOR and microalbumin (P = 0.85, r = 0.02) and Cr (P = 0.49, r = 0.10). ROC curves underscored significant diagnostic accuracy for MCF2L-AS1 in distinguishing DN from people without kidney diseases (P < 0.05). This study introduces MCF2L-AS1 as a potential key player in the molecular landscape of DN, shedding light on its multifaceted interactions. The results provide a basis for further exploration and therapeutic interventions in the management of DN.

MCF2L-AS1 downregulation in diabetic nephropathy is depicted. Four stages are shown: non-diabetic, T2DM without complications, early DN, and late DN, each with corresponding color-coded boxes. A diagram illustrates PBMC involvement and reduced MCF2L-AS1 levels, shown on a decreasing bar graph. A scatter plot indicates MCF2L-AS1 negatively correlates with microalbuminuria. A graph suggests diagnostic accuracy for MCF2L-AS1.