Emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in human epilepsy

Area of Science:

• Genomics and Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience
• Oncology

Background:

• Two-thirds of human genes are non-coding, with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) playing crucial regulatory roles.
• lncRNAs are abundant in the brain (40%) and implicated in neurological disorders, including epilepsy.
• A significant portion of human lncRNAs are primate-specific, potentially contributing to primate brain complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the direct contribution of human lncRNAs to the etiology and pathogenesis of human epilepsy.
• To advocate for the integration of lncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in epilepsy.
• To explore common pathogenic pathways between epilepsy and cancer involving lncRNAs.

Main Methods:

• In-depth literature review focusing on lncRNAs in human epilepsy.
• Meta-analysis to identify commonalities in pathogenesis between epilepsy and cancer.
• Analysis of lncRNA involvement in neuroinflammation and related signaling pathways.

Main Results:

• lncRNAs are identified as direct contributors to human epilepsy pathogenesis.
• Common mechanistic links between lncRNAs in epilepsy and cancer involve mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.
• lncRNAs modulate neuroinflammation via pathways like NF-κB, Notch, and PI3K/AKT, with NF-κB being most prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Human lncRNAs are pivotal in epilepsy etiology and progression, offering potential clinical applications.
• The shared role of lncRNAs in epilepsy and cancer pathogenesis, particularly via MAPK pathways and neuroinflammation, warrants further investigation.
• Future research must carefully consider the role of neuroinflammation in animal models to accurately reflect human epilepsy pathophysiology.