Long Noncoding RNA in Hematopoiesis and Immunity

• Published in: Immunity (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 792 - 804
• Main Authors: Satpathy, Ansuman T., Chang, Howard Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 19.05.2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Binding sites; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Flow cytometry; Gene Expression Regulation - immunology; Genes; Genomes; Genomics; Hematopoiesis - immunology; Humans; Immune system; Immunity; Proteins; RNA, Long Noncoding - immunology; Studies
• ISSN: 1074-7613; 1097-4180; 1097-4180
• DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.05.004

Dynamic gene expression during cellular differentiation is tightly coordinated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. An emerging theme is the central role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of this specificity. Recent advances demonstrate that lncRNAs are expressed in a lineage-specific manner and control the development of several cell types in the hematopoietic system. Moreover, specific lncRNAs are induced to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. lncRNAs can function via RNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, and RNA-protein target interactions. As a result, they affect several stages of gene regulation, including chromatin modification, mRNA biogenesis, and protein signaling. We discuss recent advances, future prospects, and challenges in understanding the roles of lncRNAs in immunity and immune-mediated diseases. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as lineage-specific regulators of gene expression in many biological systems. Satpathy and Chang provide an overview of lncRNA functions in the development and activation of the immune system.