Expression Analysis of VDR-Related LncRNAs in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling has been reported to affect neurodevelopment, thus participating in the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We have measured expression amounts of VDR , CYP27B1 , and two related long non-coding RNAs, namely SNHG6 and LINC00511 , in the circulation of ASD patients compared with normal controls. Expression of CYP27B1 was remarkably higher in ASD cases compared with controls (posterior beta = 2.38, SE = 0.46, adjusted P value < 0.0001, 95% credible interval (CrI) for beta = [1.49, 3.27]). Level of SNHG6 was lower in ASD cases compared with controls (posterior beta = − 0.791, SE = 0.24, adjusted P value = 0.029, 95% CrI for beta = [− 1.27, − 0.33]). Expression levels of VDR and LINC00511 were similar between ASD cases and controls ( P values = 0.97 and 0.46, respectively). Expressions of VDR , CYP27B1 , SNHG6 , and LINC00511 were not correlated with age of children. However, significant correlations were perceived between expressions of CYP27B1 and LINC00511 (r = 0.47, P < 0.0001), VDR and CYP27B1 (r = 0.42, P < 0.0001), and VDR and SNHG6 (r = 0.32, P < 0.0001). Therefore, these results imply dysregulation of a number of VDR-related genes in ASD patients.