Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
07:23
Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
Long Non-Coding RNAs in Natural Killer Cell Biology: Insights into Immune Regulation and Cancer
Sarah Abouhegaziah1, Carsten Watzl2, Mona Rady3,4
1Department of Biotechnology, School of Science and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.
Immunological Investigations
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate Natural Killer (NK) cells, influencing their development, function, and interaction with tumors. Understanding lncRNAs in NK cells is key for cancer immunotherapy and diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial innate immune cells targeting infected and malignant cells.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate cellular functions, but their role in NK cells is under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of lncRNAs in NK cell biology.
- To focus on lncRNA regulation of NK cell development, effector functions, and tumor microenvironment (TME) interactions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive narrative literature review.
- Synthesis of findings on lncRNA expression and function in NK cell biology.
Main Results:
- lncRNAs critically regulate NK cell differentiation, maturation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine production.
- lncRNAs influence NK cell suppression within the TME by modulating immune checkpoints.
- lncRNAs can either enhance or inhibit anti-tumor responses.
Conclusions:
- lncRNAs are vital regulators of NK cell biology and the tumor microenvironment.
- Further research into lncRNAs in NK cells can drive novel immunotherapies and cancer biomarkers.
Related Concept Videos
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:20Types of RNA
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
RNA Performs Diverse...
01:23Types of RNA
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
01:25Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...