Circular ribonucleic acid 0004104 as a potential biomarker and its relation to Janus kinase 2 in ulcerative colitis

Background Circular RNAs are stable non-coding RNAs that regulate biological processes via sponging microRNAs, interacting with RNA binding proteins, as well as controlling gene expression. In ulcerative colitis (UC), hsa_circ_0004104 may worsen inflammation and disrupt immune responses by affecting the JAK/STAT pathway and compromising epithelial barrier integrity. Subjects and methods The present study included 50 patients with UC and 25 healthy subjects as controls. The relative expression of hsa_circ_0004104 was analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), while the concentration of circulating Janus kinase 2 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results hsa_circ_0004104 was significantly upregulated in active and inactive UC in contrast to control group. In addition, the active UC patients gave a significantly elevated JAK2 level in contrast to inactive and control groups. Furthermore, there was a potent positive correlation relating hsa_circ_0004104 to JAK2 expression in active UC patients. Conclusion Higher levels of hsa_circ_0004104 and JAK2 expression in active UC patients suggest their role in disease activity and their potential use as therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers for UC management.