Noncoding RNAs: Master Regulators of Inflammatory Signaling

Trends Mol Med. 2018 Jan;24(1):66-84. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.11.003. Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Abstract

Inflammatory signaling underlies many diseases, from arthritis to cancer. Our understanding of inflammation has thus far been limited to the world of proteins, because we are only just beginning to understand the role that noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) might play. It is now clear that ncRNA do not constitute transcriptional 'noise' but instead harbor physiological functions in controlling signaling pathways. In this review, we cover the newly discovered mechanisms and functions of ncRNAs in the regulation of inflammatory signaling. We also describe advances in experimental techniques allowing this field of research to take root. These findings have opened new avenues for putative therapeutic intervention in inflammatory diseases, which may be seen translated into clinical outcomes in the future.

Keywords: ERK/MAPK pathway; NF-κB signaling; inflammation; lncRNA; ncRNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / immunology
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Untranslated