LncRNAs and immunity: watchdogs for host pathogen interactions.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Immune responses involve inflammatory, antimicrobial, and adaptive pathways, regulated by polygenic responses.
• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in modulating innate and adaptive immunity.
• lncRNAs interact with DNA, RNA, and proteins, influencing gene expression at multiple stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the functional roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs in host immunity against pathogens.
• To highlight the current understanding and gaps in knowledge regarding lncRNA regulation and function in immune cells.
• To emphasize the need for more research into lncRNAs' role in host-pathogen interactions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on lncRNAs in immune responses.
• Analysis of lncRNA interactions (RNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, RNA-protein).
• Examination of lncRNA presence and function in various immune cells (monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, B cells).

Main Results:

• lncRNAs are present in diverse immune cells and participate in regulating gene expression.
• lncRNAs influence immune responses through various molecular interactions.
• Dysregulation of lncRNAs is implicated in diseases, but their specific roles in host-pathogen defense remain largely unexplored.

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs are critical regulators of immune responses and host defense mechanisms.
• Understanding lncRNA regulation and function is essential for deciphering complex immune processes.
• Further investigation into lncRNAs' role in host-pathogen interactions holds potential for novel therapeutic strategies.