A Novel Regulatory Player in the Innate Immune System: Long Non-Coding RNAs

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent crucial transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulators during antimicrobial responses in the host innate immune system. Studies have shown that lncRNAs are expressed in a highly tissue- and cell-specific- manner and are involved in the differentiation and function of innate immune cells, as well as inflammatory and antiviral processes, through versatile molecular mechanisms. These lncRNAs function via the interactions with DNA, RNA, or protein in either cis or trans pattern, relying on their specific sequences or their transcriptions and processing. The dysregulation of lncRNA function is associated with various human non-infectious diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Here, we provide an overview of the regulation and mechanisms of lncRNA function in the development and differentiation of innate immune cells, and during the activation or repression of innate immune responses. These elucidations might be beneficial for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory and innate immune-mediated diseases.

Chronic alcohol administration alters metabolomic profile of murine bone marrow

“…A wide variety of types of RNAs act in the regulation of the immune system. microRNAs, RNA-binding proteins that control the stability and translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) and RNA interference (RNAi) are examples of RNAs that act by controlling the gene expression of cytokines and chemokines responsible for the intercellular communication of the immune system ( 55 , 56 ). The decrease in uracil levels resulting from the chronic consumption of ethanol in the bone marrow may indirectly compromise the entire elaboration of the immune response.…”

Long Non Coding RNA Based Regulation of Cerebrovascular Endothelium

“…The non-coding RNA mediated regulation of the NVU has been known for more than a decade ( Wang S.-W. et al, 2018 ). LncRNAs can exert a regulatory role at epigenetic, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels ( Xie and Wei, 2021 ), ( Huang et al, 2021 ) while some lncRNAs are also known to function by coding for short peptides ( Choi et al, 2019 ), ( Hartford and Lal, 2020 ). LncRNAs are in particular known to be highly cell-type specific, unlike mRNA ( Quinn and Chang, 2016 ), which could act as a potential factor in the variability of endothelial cells in general and variability within brain endothelial cells depending on brain region, age and disease conditions.…”

The long noncoding RNA Meg3 mediates TLR4-induced inflammation in experimental obstructive nephropathy

“…Other lncRNAs including lnc-ARAP1-AS2 and lnc-ATB are involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) [ 16 , 17 ]. In recent years, lncRNAs have emerged as a critical player in innate immunity [ 18 ]. For example, Lnc-MC and LincRNA-Cox2 are involved in macrophage differentiation and polarization and lnc-DC regulates dendritic cell maturation [ 19–21 ].…”