Identification of lncRNA biomarkers for keloid diagnosis and functional characterization of CPEB2-AS1.

Abstract

Keloids are pathological scars marked by excessive tissue growth, and their diagnosis currently depends on clinical observation, lacking objective biomarkers. Although the regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various diseases has drawn attention, their function in keloids remains unclear. This study employed high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and machine learning algorithms to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs in keloid tissues and to construct a diagnostic model. The relationship between these lncRNAs and immune responses, as well as gene expression regulation, was explored through immune signature analysis and co-expression networks. The role of CPEB2-AS1 in keloids was investigated through expression validation, pan-cancer analysis and functional experiments. Four key differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified, enabling the development of an effective diagnostic model that distinguishes keloid tissues from healthy controls. Immune signature analysis revealed a positive correlation between CPEB2-AS1 and immune cell activity. Co-expression networks and functional enrichment analysis suggested that these lncRNAs may regulate RNA processing and nucleic acid binding. Expression validation and pan-cancer analysis confirmed their abnormal expression in keloids. Functional experiments demonstrated that CPEB2-AS1 significantly influences cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. This study identifies new molecular markers for the early diagnosis of keloids and highlights the potential role of CPEB2-AS1 in keloid progression, offering insights for future therapeutic strategies.