LncRNA Transcriptional Control of Inflammatory Responses

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as potential key regulators of the inflammatory response, particularly by modulating the transcriptional control of inflammatory genes. LncRNAs may act as an enhancer or suppressor to inflammatory transcription, function as scaffold molecules through interactions with RNA-binding proteins in chromatin remodeling complexes, and modulate dynamic and epigenetic control of inflammatory transcription in a gene-specific and time-dependent fashion. Here, researchers from Creighton University discuss recent literature regarding the role of lncRNAs in transcriptional control of inflammatory responses. Better understanding of lncRNA regulation of inflammation will provide novel targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

General classification of lncRNAs and their function models in transcriptional control

A, Classification of lncRNAs into five classes: exonic sense, intronic sense, antisense, bidirectional and intergenic, based upon their genomic locations and transcription. B, Functional models of transcriptional control. LncRNAs may act as signals, decoys, guides or scaffolds to modulate gene expression at the transcriptional level.