Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA associated with HELLP syndrome (LINC-HELLP)

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA associated with HELLP syndrome (LINC-HELLP), also known as HELLP associated long non-coding RNA or HELLPAR, is a large long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) of approximately 205 kb located in an intergenic region of chromosome 12q23.2 between the PMCH and IGF1 genes. It is implicated in the pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome, a severe pregnancy-associated disorder characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. LINC-HELLP is expressed predominantly in extravillous trophoblasts of the placenta, with both (peri)nuclear and cytoplasmic localization. Functionally, it regulates the balance between proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts during placental development by activating genes involved in the cell cycle (particularly the G2/M phase) and influencing trophoblast differentiation. Mutations in LINC-HELLP found in HELLP-affected families disrupt its interaction with protein partners involved in splicing and ribosomal function (notably YBX1, PCBP1, and PCBP2), leading to altered proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells. LINC-HELLP is upregulated in early pregnancy plasma from healthy women, but this upregulation is absent in those who later develop pregnancy complications, suggesting potential as an early biomarker. Its precise mechanism in HELLP remains under study, mainly as a regulator of placental cell cycle and trophoblast invasion, and it is not currently considered a direct therapeutic target or receptor.

Other names

HELLP associated long non-coding RNAHELLPARLINC-HELLP