Roles of long noncoding RNAs in bacterial infection

Bacteria can induce significant alteration in the cell transcriptome and develop many strategies to modify immune signaling for its survival. In recent years, a new class of regulatory RNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), has been demonstrated to play an essential role in host gene expression. Growing literature indicate that lncRNAs function as positive or negative effectors on antibacterial immunity. On the one hand, the host regulates immune-related genes at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels by lncRNAs, thereby protecting itself from pathogen invasion. On the other hand, bacteria can manipulate the host signaling pathways by regulating the host lncRNAs to escape immune clearance. In addition, some bacteria even produce lncRNAs, which are involved in the pathogenic process of pathogens. Some dysregulated lncRNAs during bacterial infections can be used as a potential diagnostic marker for infection. Understanding of gene expression regulation through lncRNAs helps illustrate bacterial pathogenesis. Here, we summarize the functions of lncRNAs and current advances of lncRNAs in different bacterial infections and look forward to the future research orientation.