The conserved long noncoding RNA LTCONS12135 positively regulates innate immunity in teleost

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely demonstrated to be key regulators of innate immunity in mammals, but their roles in antimicrobial and antiviral immune responses in aquatic animals have not been well described. In this study, a novel lncRNA, LTCONS12135, was identified in the miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy) and was found to be responsive to innate immune stimulation and to participate in both antibacterial and antiviral immune responses. The expression of LTCONS12135 was significantly upregulated in M. miiuy spleen cells (MSpC) following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)). Further studies using zebrafish (Danio rerio) infection models demonstrated that LTCONS12135 significantly enhanced the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antiviral genes, while effectively inhibiting the infection and proliferation of Vibrio anguillarum and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in the host. Our findings reveal a novel and conserved immunoregulatory role for lncRNAs across teleost species, underscoring the significance of noncoding RNAs in shaping the innate immune system of aquatic vertebrates.