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Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease

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A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell and Gene Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2022) | Viewed by 42722

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Prof. Dr. Yasuhito Ishigaki

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Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku 920-0293, Japan
Interests: adipose-derived stem cells; mRNA decay; noncoding RNA; RNA bindings; transcriptome analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The discovery of RNA interference eventually led to the elucidation of new mechanisms in the cell and the discovery of new mechanisms of gene expression regulation by various noncoding RNA molecules. For example, long noncoding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs have aroused the curiosity of researchers due to their generation mechanism alone. To date, a variety of unimaginable intracellular regulations have been revealed, including their intracellular action mechanisms and related gene networks.

Recently, it has become clear that these noncoding RNAs play an important role in disease causation and malignant transformation and are attracting attention not only as biomarkers of disease, but also as therapeutic targets. In particular, as the pathways of genes involved in noncoding RNAs are clarified, the findings that were known before the discovery of noncoding RNAs are being found to be related to one another. Based on these findings, the treatment of diseases by regulating the network of genes involved in noncoding RNAs is now within reach. In this context, we are proposing this Special Issue to focus on the relationship between noncoding RNAs and health maintenance and diseases.

This Special Issue aims to summarize the current knowledge on the role of noncoding RNA in the process of various human diseases and disease models with animals and culture cells.

We look forward to your contributions.

Prof. Yasuhito Ishigaki
Guest Editor

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Keywords

miRNA
long non-coding RNA
circular RNA
biomarker
drug target

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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30 pages, 12066 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Expression Profiling and Networking Reveals an Imperative Role of IMF-Associated Novel CircRNAs as ceRNA in Pigs

by Salsabeel Yousuf, Ai Li, Hui Feng, Tianyi Lui, Wanlong Huang, Xiuxiu Zhang, Lingli Xie and Xiangyang Miao

Cells 2022, 11(17), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11172638 - 24 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2445

Abstract

Intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition is a biological process that has a strong impact on the nutritional and sensorial properties of meat, with relevant consequences on human health. Pork loins determine the effects of marbling on the sensory attributes and meat quality properties, which differ among various pig breeds. This study explores the crosstalk of non-coding RNAs with mRNAs and analyzes the potential pathogenic role of IMF-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in IMF tissues, which offer a framework for the functional validation of key/potential genes. A high-throughput whole-genome transcriptome analysis of IMF tissues from longissimus dorsi muscles of Large White (D_JN) and Laiwu (L_JN) pigs resulted in the identification of 283 differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs), including two key circRNAs (circRNA-23437, circRNA-08840) with potential binding sites for multiple miRNAs regulating the whole network. The potential ceRNA mechanism identified the DEC target miRNAs-mRNAs involved in lipid metabolism, fat deposition, meat quality, and metabolic syndrome via the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network, concluding that ssc-mir-370 is the most important target miRNA shared by both key circRNAs. TGM2, SLC5A6, ECI1, FASN, PER1, SLC25A34, SOD1, and COL5A3 were identified as hub genes through an intensive protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of target genes acquired from the ceRNA regulatory network. Functional enrichments, pathway examinations, and qRT-PCR analyses infer their implications in fat/cholesterol metabolism, insulin secretion, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Here, circRNAs and miRNA sequencing accompanied by computational techniques were performed to analyze their expressions in IMF tissues from the longissimus dorsi muscles of two pig breeds. Their target gene evolutionary trajectories, expression profiling, functional enrichments, subcellular localizations, and structural advances with high-throughput protein modeling, following genomic organizations, will provide new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of adipocyte differentiation and IMF deposition and a much-needed qualitative framework for future research to improve meat quality and its role as a biomarker to treat lipid metabolic syndromes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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13 pages, 2685 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Multiple Phosphorylations of SR Protein SRSF3 and Its Binding to m⁶A Reader YTHDC1 in Human Cells

by Takanori Tatsuno and Yasuhito Ishigaki

Cells 2022, 11(9), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11091461 - 26 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2251

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a well-known RNA modification and has various functions with its binding proteins. Nuclear m⁶A reader protein YTHDC1 plays a significant role in RNA metabolism including some non-coding RNA such as LINE or circRNA. It is also known to regulate mRNA splicing through recruiting SRSF3 to the targeted mRNAs, which then mediates export of YTHDC1-bound RNA to the cytoplasm. Additionally, it has been indicated that SRSF3 binding to YHTDC1 may be mediated by its dephosphorylated status. However, their binding mechanism, including the positions of dephosphorylated residues of SRSF3, has not been sufficiently investigated. Thus, we explored the mechanism of interaction between SRSF3 and YTHDC1 in human cells. We used co-immunoprecipitation to examine the binding of YTHDC1/SRSF3 through their N- and C-terminal amino-acid residues. Furthermore, dephosphorylation-mimic serine to alanine mutants of SRSF3 indicated the position of phosphorylated residues. Cumulatively, our results demonstrate that YTHDC1 binding to SRSF3 is regulated by not only hypo-phosphorylated residues of arginine/serine-rich (RS) domain of SRSF3 but also other parts of SRSF3 via YTHDC1 N- or C-terminal residues. Our results contribute to the understanding of the complex mechanism of binding between SR protein SRSF3 and the m⁶A reader YTHDC1 to regulate the expression of mRNA and non-coding RNAs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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20 pages, 8051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trophectoderm Transcriptome Analysis in LIN28 Knockdown Ovine Conceptuses Suggests Diverse Roles of the LIN28-let-7 Axis in Placental and Fetal Development

by Asghar Ali, Muhammad A. Iqbal, Muhammad W. Abbas, Gerrit J. Bouma, Russell V. Anthony, Thomas E. Spencer and Quinton A. Winger

Cells 2022, 11(7), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11071234 - 05 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2138

Abstract

The proper conceptus elongation in ruminants is critical for the successful placentation and establishment of pregnancy. We have previously shown that the trophectoderm-specific knockdown of LIN28A/B in day 9 ovine blastocysts resulted in increased let-7 miRNAs and reduced conceptus elongation at day 16 of gestation. In this current study, by transcriptome analysis of LIN28A knockdown (AKD) or LIN28B knockdown (BKD) trophectoderm (TE), we explored the downstream target genes of the LIN28-let-7 axis and their roles in the placental and fetal development. We identified 449 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AKD TE and 1214 DEGs in BKD TE compared to non-targeting control (NTC). Our analysis further revealed that 210 downregulated genes in AKD TE and 562 downregulated genes in BKD TE were the potential targets of let-7 miRNAs. Moreover, 16 downregulated genes in AKD TE and 57 downregulated and 7 upregulated genes in BKD TE were transcription factors. The DEGs in AKD and BKD TE showed enrichment in the biological processes and pathways critical for placental development and function, and fetal development and growth. The results of this study suggest the potential roles of the LIN28-let-7 axis in placental and fetal development beyond its involvement in trophoblast proliferation and conceptus elongation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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21 pages, 3317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening Analysis of Platelet miRNA Profile Revealed miR-142-3p as a Potential Biomarker in Modeling the Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome

by Rafał Szelenberger, Michał Seweryn Karbownik, Michał Kacprzak, Karina Maciak, Michał Bijak, Marzenna Zielińska, Piotr Czarny, Tomasz Śliwiński and Joanna Saluk-Bijak

Cells 2021, 10(12), 3526; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123526 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2864

Abstract

Transcriptome analysis constitutes one of the major methods of elucidation of the genetic basis underlying the pathogenesis of various diseases. The post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression is mainly provided by microRNAs. Their remarkable stability in biological fluids and their high sensitivity to disease alteration indicates their potential role as biomarkers. Given the high mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular diseases, novel predictive biomarkers are sorely needed. Our study focuses for the first time on assessing potential biomarkers of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) based on the microRNA profiles of platelets. The study showed the overexpression of eight platelet microRNAs in ACS (miR-142-3p; miR-107; miR-338-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-130b-3p, miR-301a-3p, miR-221-3p) associated with platelet reactivity and functionality. Our results show that the combined model based on miR-142-3p and aspartate transaminase reached 82% sensitivity and 88% specificity in the differentiation of the studied groups. Furthermore, the analyzed miRNAs were shown to cluster into two orthogonal groups, regulated by two different biological factors. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that one group of microRNAs may be associated with the physiological processes of platelets, whereas the other group may be linked to platelet–vascular environment interactions. This analysis paves the way towards a better understanding of the role of platelet microRNAs in ACS pathophysiology and better modeling of the risk of ACS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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14 pages, 2606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nuclear Genome-Encoded Long Noncoding RNAs and Mitochondrial Damage in Diabetic Retinopathy

by Ghulam Mohammad and Renu A. Kowluru

Cells 2021, 10(12), 3271; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123271 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2628

Abstract

Retinal mitochondria are damaged in diabetes-accelerating apoptosis of capillary cells, and ultimately, leading to degenerative capillaries. Diabetes also upregulates many long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs), including LncMALAT1 and LncNEAT1. These RNAs have more than 200 nucleotides and no open reading frame for translation. LncMALAT1 and LncNEAT1 are encoded by nuclear genome, but nuclear-encoded LncRNAs can also translocate in the mitochondria. Our aim was to investigate the role of LncMALAT1 and LncNEAT1 in mitochondrial homeostasis. Using human retinal endothelial cells, the effect of high glucose on LncMALAT1 and LncNEAT1 mitochondrial localization was examined by RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization. The role of these LncRNAs in mitochondrial membrane potential (by JC-I staining), mtDNA integrity (by extended length PCR) and in protective mtDNA nucleoids (by SYBR green staining) was examined in MALAT1- or NEAT1-siRNA transfected cells. High glucose increased LncMALAT1 and LncNEAT1 mitochondrial expression, and MALAT1-siRNA or NEAT1-siRNA ameliorated glucose-induced damage to mitochondrial membrane potential and mtDNA, and prevented decrease in mtDNA nucleoids. Thus, increased mitochondrial translocation of LncMALAT1 or LncNEAT1 in a hyperglycemic milieu plays a major role in damaging the mitochondrial structural and genomic integrity. Regulation of these LncRNAs can protect mitochondrial homeostasis, and ameliorate formation of degenerative capillaries in diabetic retinopathy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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20 pages, 4200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Silico Identification and Clinical Validation of a Novel Long Non-Coding RNA/mRNA/miRNA Molecular Network for Potential Biomarkers for Discriminating SARS CoV-2 Infection Severity

by Sara H. A. Agwa, Hesham Elghazaly, Mahmoud Shawky El Meteini, Sherif M. Shawky, Marwa Ali, Aya M. Abd Elsamee, Safa Matbouly Sayed, Nadine Sherif, Howida M. Sharaf, Mohamed A. Alhadidy and Marwa Matboli

Cells 2021, 10(11), 3098; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10113098 - 09 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2832

Abstract

(1) Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still a major global health problem, despite the development of several vaccines and diagnostic assays. Moreover, the broad symptoms, from none to severe pneumonia, and the various responses to vaccines and the assays, make infection control challenging. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop non-invasive biomarkers to quickly determine the infection severity. Circulating RNAs have been proven to be potential biomarkers for a variety of diseases, including infectious ones. This study aimed to develop a genetic network related to cytokines, with clinical validation for early infection severity prediction. (2) Methods: Extensive analyses of in silico data have established a novel IL11RA molecular network (IL11RNA mRNA, LncRNAs RP11-773H22.4 and hsa-miR-4257). We used different databases to confirm its validity. The differential expression within the retrieved network was clinically validated using quantitative RT-PCR, along with routine assessment diagnostic markers (CRP, LDH, D-dimmer, procalcitonin, Ferritin), in100 infected subjects (mild and severe cases) and 100 healthy volunteers. (3) Results: IL11RNA mRNA and LncRNA RP11-773H22.4, and the IL11RA protein, were significantly upregulated, and there was concomitant downregulation of hsa-miR-4257, in infected patients, compared to the healthy controls, in concordance with the infection severity. (4) Conclusion: The in-silico data and clinical validation led to the identification of a potential RNA/protein signature network for novel predictive biomarkers, which is in agreement with ferritin and procalcitonin for determination of COVID-19 severity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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15 pages, 2912 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Viral MicroRNAs Encoded by Nucleocapsid Gene of SARS-CoV-2 Are Detected during Infection, and Targeting Metabolic Pathways in Host Cells

by Fei Meng, Gilman Kit-Hang Siu, Bobo Wing-Yee Mok, Jiahong Sun, Kitty S. C. Fung, Jimmy Yiu-Wing Lam, Nonthaphat Kent Wong, Lealem Gedefaw, Shumeng Luo, Thomas M. H. Lee, Shea Ping Yip and Chien-Ling Huang

Cells 2021, 10(7), 1762; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10071762 - 12 Jul 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4093

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression that may be used to identify the pathological pathways influenced by disease and cellular interactions. Viral miRNAs (v-miRNAs) encoded by both DNA and RNA viruses induce immune dysregulation, virus production, and disease pathogenesis. Given the absence of effective treatment and the prevalence of highly infective SARS-CoV-2 strains, improved understanding of viral-associated miRNAs could provide novel mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of COVID-19. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 v-miRNAs were identified by deep sequencing in infected Calu-3 and Vero E6 cell lines. Among the ~0.1% small RNA sequences mapped to the SARS-CoV-2 genome, the top ten SARS-CoV-2 v-miRNAs (including three encoded by the N gene; v-miRNA-N) were selected. After initial screening of conserved v-miRNA-N-28612, which was identified in both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, its expression was shown to be positively associated with viral load in COVID-19 patients. Further in silico analysis and synthetic-mimic transfection of validated SARS-CoV-2 v-miRNAs revealed novel functional targets and associations with mechanisms of cellular metabolism and biosynthesis. Our findings support the development of v-miRNA-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies based on improved understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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21 pages, 61230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prenatal Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Novel MicroRNA-mRNA Networks Associated with Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Pigs

by Asghar Ali, Eduard Murani, Frieder Hadlich, Xuan Liu, Klaus Wimmers and Siriluck Ponsuksili

Cells 2021, 10(5), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10051007 - 24 Apr 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2658

Abstract

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) occurs in 15–20% of pig neonates and poses huge economic losses to the pig industry. IUGR piglets have reduced skeletal muscle growth, which may persist after birth. Prenatal muscle growth is regulated by complex molecular pathways that are not well understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as the main regulators of vital pathways and biological processes in the body. This study was designed to identify miRNA–mRNA networks regulating prenatal skeletal muscle development in pigs. We performed an integrative miRNA–mRNA transcriptomic analysis in longissimus dorsi muscle from IUGR fetuses and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses at 63 days post conception. Our data showed that 47 miRNAs and 3257 mRNAs were significantly upregulated, and six miRNAs and 477 mRNAs were significantly downregulated in IUGR compared to AGA fetuses. Moreover, 47 upregulated miRNAs were negatively correlated and can potentially target 326 downregulated genes, whereas six downregulated miRNAs were negatively correlated and can potentially target 1291 upregulated genes. These miRNA–mRNA networks showed enrichment in biological processes and pathways critical for fetal growth, development, and metabolism. The miRNA–mRNA networks identified in this study can potentially serve as indicators of prenatal fetal growth and development as well as postnatal carcass quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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Review

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22 pages, 2399 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of miR-20 in Health and Disease of the Central Nervous System

by Ivan Arzhanov, Kristyna Sintakova and Nataliya Romanyuk

Cells 2022, 11(9), 1525; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11091525 - 03 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2490

Abstract

Current understanding of the mechanisms underlying central nervous system (CNS) injury is limited, and traditional therapeutic methods lack a molecular approach either to prevent acute phase or secondary damage, or to support restorative mechanisms in the nervous tissue. microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding RNA molecules that have recently been discovered as fundamental and post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The capacity of microRNAs to regulate the cell state and function through post-transcriptionally silencing hundreds of genes are being acknowledged as an important factor in the pathophysiology of both acute and chronic CNS injuries. In this study, we have summarized the knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders, and the role of most canonical miRNAs in their development. We have focused on the miR-20, the miR-17~92 family to which miR-20 belongs, and their function in the normal development and disease of the CNS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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18 pages, 623 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of MicroRNAs in Endothelial Cell Senescence

by Jovana Nikolajevic, Nazila Ariaee, Aaron Liew, Shadi Abbasnia, Bahare Fazeli and Miso Sabovic

Cells 2022, 11(7), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11071185 - 31 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3152

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a complex, dynamic process consisting of the irreversible arrest of growth and gradual deterioration of cellular function. Endothelial senescence affects the cell’s ability to repair itself, which is essential for maintaining vascular integrity and leads to the development of endothelial dysfunction, which has an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Senescent endothelial cells develop a particular, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that detrimentally affects both surrounding and distant endothelial cells, thereby facilitating the ageing process and development of age-related disorders. Recent studies highlight the role of endothelial senescence and its dysfunction in the pathophysiology of several age-related diseases. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that have an important role in the regulation of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Recently, it has been discovered that miRNAs could importantly contribute to endothelial cell senescence. Overall, the research focus has been shifting to new potential mechanisms and targets to understand and prevent the structural and functional changes in ageing senescent endothelial cells in order to prevent the development and limit the progression of the wide spectrum of age-related diseases. The aim of this review is to provide some insight into the most important pathways involved in the modulation of endothelial senescence and to reveal the specific roles of several miRNAs involved in this complex process. Better understanding of miRNA’s role in endothelial senescence could lead to new approaches for prevention and possibly also for the treatment of endothelial cells ageing and associated age-related diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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14 pages, 654 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

MicroRNA Roles in Cell Reprogramming Mechanisms

by Emilia Pascale, Carmen Caiazza, Martina Paladino, Silvia Parisi, Fabiana Passaro and Massimiliano Caiazzo

Cells 2022, 11(6), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11060940 - 10 Mar 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4402

Abstract

Cell reprogramming is a groundbreaking technology that, in few decades, generated a new paradigm in biomedical science. To date we can use cell reprogramming to potentially generate every cell type by converting somatic cells and suitably modulating the expression of key transcription factors. This approach can be used to convert skin fibroblasts into pluripotent stem cells as well as into a variety of differentiated and medically relevant cell types, including cardiomyocytes and neural cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying such striking cell phenotypes are still largely unknown, but in the last decade it has been proven that cell reprogramming approaches are significantly influenced by non-coding RNAs. Specifically, this review will focus on the role of microRNAs in the reprogramming processes that lead to the generation of pluripotent stem cells, neurons, and cardiomyocytes. As highlighted here, non-coding RNA-forced expression can be sufficient to support some cell reprogramming processes, and, therefore, we will also discuss how these molecular determinants could be used in the future for biomedical purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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21 pages, 2299 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Regulation of LncRNAs in Melanoma and Their Functional Roles in the Metastatic Process

by Marine Melixetian, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci and Luisa Lanfrancone

Cells 2022, 11(3), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11030577 - 07 Feb 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2926

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of numerous intracellular processes leading to tumorigenesis. They are frequently deregulated in cancer, functioning as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. As they act through multiple mechanisms, it is not surprising that they may exert dual functions in the same tumor. In melanoma, a highly invasive and metastatic tumor with the propensity to rapidly develop drug resistance, lncRNAs play different roles in: (i) guiding the phenotype switch and leading to metastasis formation; (ii) predicting the response of melanoma patients to immunotherapy; (iii) triggering adaptive responses to therapy and acquisition of drug resistance phenotypes. In this review we summarize the most recent findings on the lncRNAs involved in melanoma growth and spreading to distant sites, focusing on their role as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and patient prognosis, or targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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15 pages, 1095 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Role of MicroRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Sarcopenia

by Jihui Lee and Hara Kang

Cells 2022, 11(2), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11020187 - 06 Jan 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2665

Abstract

Sarcopenia is an age-related pathological process characterized by loss of muscle mass and function, which consequently affects the quality of life of the elderly. There is growing evidence that non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), play a key role in skeletal muscle physiology. Alterations in the expression levels of miRNAs and lncRNAs contribute to muscle atrophy and sarcopenia by regulating various signaling pathways. This review summarizes the recent findings regarding non-coding RNAs associated with sarcopenia and provides an overview of sarcopenia pathogenesis promoted by multiple non-coding RNA-mediated signaling pathways. In addition, we discuss the impact of exercise on the expression patterns of non-coding RNAs involved in sarcopenia. Identifying non-coding RNAs associated with sarcopenia and understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle dysfunction during aging will provide new insights to develop potential treatment strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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26 pages, 850 KiB

Open AccessReview

Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Response and Resistance to Cancer Immunosurveillance and Immunotherapy

by Giasemi C. Eptaminitaki, Nora Wolff, Dimitris Stellas, Konstantinos Sifakis and Stavroula Baritaki

Cells 2021, 10(12), 3313; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123313 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3498

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulatory elements in cellular functions in states of both normalcy and disease, including cancer. LncRNAs can influence not only tumorigenesis but also cancer features such as metastasis, angiogenesis and resistance to chemo-and immune-mediated apoptotic signals. Several lncRNAs have been demonstrated to control directly or indirectly the number, type and activities of distinct immune cell populations of adaptive and innate immunities within and without the tumor microenvironment. The disruption of lncRNA expression in both cancer and immune cells may reflect alterations in tumor responses to cancer immunosurveillance and immunotherapy, thus providing new insights into lncRNA biomarker-based prognostic and therapeutic cancer assessment. Here we present an overview on lncRNAs’ functions and underlying molecular mechanisms related to cancer immunity and conventional immunotherapy, with the expectation that any elucidations may lead to a better understanding and management of cancer immune escape and response to current and future immunotherapeutics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Non-coding RNA in Health and Disease)

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