Downregulation Of Lncrna-Atb Involved In Preterm Birth

LncRNA-ATB is involved in the pathogenesis of various types of diseases including preeclampsia, while its involvement in preterm birth is unknown. In this study, expression of lncRNA-ATB in placenta and serum of both females who gave preterm birth (n=108) or full term birth (n=99) was detected by qRT-PCR. Diagnostic values of lncRNA-ATB for preterm birth were analyzed by ROC curve analysis. Correlations between lncRNA-ATB expression levels and clinicopathological data of females who gave preterm birth were analyzed by Chi-square test. Another 320 pregnant women were included and divided into high and low expression group according to the median serum level of lncRNA-ATB, and occurrence of preterm birth was recorded and compared between 2 groups. We found that lncRNA-ATB was downregulated in females who gave preterm birth comparing to those who gave full term birth. LncRNA-ATB expression levels could be used to effectively distinguish females who gave preterm birth from those who gave full term birth. Expression levels of lncRNA-ATB were significantly associated with patients' age, but not other general data. Patients with higher serum level of lncRNA-ATB showed lower incidence of preterm birth. Therefore, downregulation of lncRNA-ATB is likely involved in preterm birth.