We found a negative correlation between miR-4689 and S1PR1 mRNA expression (r =  − 0.274, P = 0.024) (Fig. 4E) and a positive correlation between circPTPN22 and S1PR1 mRNA expression in PBMCs of patients with SLE (r = 0.423, P < 0.001) (Fig. 4F). The gene discussed is S1PR1; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.