EGO, a novel, noncoding RNA gene, regulates eosinophil granule protein transcript expression

RNA-binding protein QKI promotes the progression of HCC by interacting with long non-coding RNA EGOT

BACKGROUND

RNA-binding proteins are revealed to play important roles during the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the regulatory mechanisms of RNA-binding protein Quaking (QKI) in the expression and role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HCC cells remain not well understood.

METHODS

Cell Counting Kit-8, wound-healing, Transwell and colony-forming assays were performed to evaluate the effects of QKI and lncRNA EGOT on proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Tumor growth of HCC was analyzed using a mouse xenograft model. Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was used to investigate the interaction between QKI and EGOT.

RESULTS

The expression of QKI was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and the higher QKI level was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis. Overexpression of QKI promoted the proliferation, migration, and colony-forming ability of HCC cells in vitro and tumor growth of HCC in vivo. Mechanistically, QKI protein could bind to EGOT RNA and increase its expression. Inhibition of EGOT attenuated the effects of QKI on the malignant phenotypes of HCC cells. In addition, both QKI and EGOT could activate the SAPK/JNK signaling pathway in HCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that QKI exerted promotive effects on the malignant phenotypes of HCC through its interaction with EGOT.

Roles of non-coding RNA in megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombopoiesis: new target therapies in ITP

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNA molecules that cannot encode proteins, and a better understanding of the complex interaction networks coordinated by ncRNAs will provide a theoretical basis for the development of therapeutics targeting the regulatory effects of ncRNAs. Platelets are produced upon the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into megakaryocytes, 10¹¹ per day, and are renewed every 8-9 days. The process of thrombopoiesis is affected by multiple factors, in which ncRNAs also exert a significant regulatory role. This article reviewed the regulatory roles of ncRNAs, mainly microRNAs (miRNAs), circRNAs (circular RNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in thrombopoiesis in recent years as well as their roles in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

A mutator-derived prognostic eRNA signature provides insight into the pathogenesis of breast cancer

Abundant evidence suggests that enhancer RNA (eRNA) is closely related to tumorigenesis, and the role of eRNA transcription in promoting genomic instability in cancers is gradually unveiled. However, research on the evaluation of the prognostic value and molecular mechanisms of genomic instability associated eRNAs in breast cancer is long overdue. Here, we integratively analyzed eRNA expression and somatic mutation profiles in breast cancer genome. We identified genomic instability associated eRNAs and developed a prognostic signature based on these eRNAs with the area under the curve (AUC) around 0.8 at 9-year survival. We further found the prognostic value of this signature is independent of common clinical factors and is better than TP53 status. Higher expression of genomic instability associated genes in the high-risk group was observed, suggesting that this eRNA signature may serve as an indicator of genomic instability in breast cancer. We found prognostic eRNA co-expressed genes are mainly enriched in Gene set 'Breast Cancer 8P12-P11 Amplicon', Gene set 'Metabolism of lipids' and GO process 'Ubiquitin protein ligase binding'. Furthermore, 11 eRNA-signature regulated genes are identified by assessing promoter-enhancer interaction. Among these genes, F11R, BHLHE40, and NECTIN4 are previously reported oncogenes and EGOT is a tumor suppressor gene, indicating the direct roles of eRNAs in tumorigenesis.

The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Myelodysplastic Neoplasms

Myelodysplastic syndromes or neoplasms (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid clonal disorders characterized by peripheral blood cytopenias, blood and marrow cell dysplasia, and increased risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, serve as regulators of normal and malignant hematopoiesis and have been implicated in carcinogenesis. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the biology and role of non-coding RNAs, including the less studied circRNA, siRNA, piRNA, and snoRNA as potential prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers or therapeutic targets in MDS.

Identification of competing endogenous RNA network in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to investigate key long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network associated with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three mRNA datasets, two miRNA datasets, and one lncRNA dataset of LSCC were downloaded from GEO database. Following the identification of differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), (microRNAs) miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in LSCC compared with adjacent tissues, functional enrichment of DEmRNAs was performed. Then, construction of the ceRNA (DElncRNA-DEmiRNA-DEmRNA) regulatory network and functional analyses of all DEmRNAs in ceRNA regulatory network were conducted. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR) were used to detect the expression levels of selected DEmRNAs, DEmiRNAs, and DElncRNAs.

RESULTS

A total of 3449 DEmRNAs, 40 DEmiRNAs, and 100 DElncRNAs were identified in LSCC. The ceRNA networks, which contained 132 DElncRNA-DEmiRNA pairs and 287 DEmiRNA-DEmRNA pairs, involving 44 lncRNAs, 3 miRNAs, and 271 mRNAs, were obtained. DEmRNAs in ceRNA regulatory networks were significantly enriched in pathways in cancer, prostate cancer, and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. Except for HCG22 and hsa-miR-1246, expressions of the others in the qRT-PCR results played the same pattern with that in our integrated analysis, generally.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that HCG22/EGOT-hsa-miR-1275-FAM107A and HCG22/EGOT-hsa-miR-1246-Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 like interaction pairs may play a central role in LSCC.

Emerging Roles of Epigenetic Regulators in Maintaining Hematopoietic Stem Cell Homeostasis

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are adult stem cells with the ability of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation into functional blood cells, thus playing important roles in the homeostasis of hematopoiesis and the immune response. Continuous self-renewal of HSCs offers fresh supplies for the HSC pool, which differentiate into all kinds of mature blood cells, supporting the normal functioning of the entire blood system. Nevertheless, dysregulation of the homeostasis of hematopoiesis is often the cause of many blood diseases. Excessive self-renewal of HSCs leads to hematopoietic malignancies (e.g., leukemia), while deficiency in HSC regeneration results in pancytopenia (e.g., anemia). The regulation of hematopoietic homeostasis is finely tuned, and the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technologies has greatly boosted research in this field. In this chapter, we will summarize the recent understanding of epigenetic regulators including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromosome remodeling, noncoding RNAs, and RNA modification that are involved in hematopoietic homeostasis, which provides fundamental basis for the development of therapeutic strategies against hematopoietic diseases.

Long Non-Coding RNAs as Cellular Metabolism and Haematopoiesis Regulators

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a category of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are more than 200 bases long and play major regulatory roles in a wide range of biologic processes, including hematopoeisis and metabolism. Metabolism in cells is an immensely complex process that involves the interconnection and unification of numerous signaling pathways. A growing body of affirmation marks that lncRNAs do participate in metabolism, both directly and indirectly, via metabolic regulation of enzymes and signaling pathways, respectively. The complexities are disclosed by the latest studies demonstrating how lncRNAs could indeed alter tissue-specific metabolism. We have entered a new realm for discovery that is both intimidating and intriguing. Understanding the different functions of lncRNAs in various cellular pathways aids in the advancement of predictive and therapeutic capabilities for a wide variety of myelodysplastic and metabolic disorders. This review has tried to give an overview of the different ncRNAs and their effects on hematopoiesis and metabolism. We have focused on the pathway of action of several lncRNAs and have also delved into their prognostic value. Their use as biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets has also been discussed. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review has tried to give an overview of the different ncRNAs and their effects on hematopoiesis and metabolism. The pathway of action of several lncRNAs and their prognostic value was discussed. Their use as biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets has also been elaborated.

Multi-lineage Differentiation from Hematopoietic Stem Cells

The hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the ability to differentiate and give rise to all mature blood cells. Commitment to differentiation progressively limits the self-renewal potential of the original HSCs by regulating the level of lineage-specific gene expression. In this review, we will summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying HSC differentiation toward erythroid, myeloid, and lymphocyte lineages. Moreover, we will decipher how the single-cell technologies advance the lineage-biased HSC subpopulations and their differentiation potential.

Eosinophils: A Friend or Foe in Human Health and Diseases

Background

Since their discovery, around 150 years, eosinophils research has been a field of changing perspective, and new directions are emerging since then.

Summary

Initially, eosinophils were perceived as terminally differentiated cytotoxic effector cells. Clearly, eosinophils are capable of playing functions other than immune responses, which is not surprising given their intricate interactions with pathogens as well as other circulating leukocytes. Attempts to comprehend the eosinophil biology and functions have yielded remarkable insights into their roles in human health and sickness. The use of FDA-approved eosinophils-targeting biologics has provided exciting opportunities to directly explore the contributions of eosinophils in disease etiology in humans.

Key Messages

In this review, we will focus on the eosinophils' lifecycle and discuss the current state of knowledge from mouse models and retrospective human studies demonstrating eosinophils' roles in the pathogenesis of human diseases such as asthma, cancer, and kidney disorders. Despite three recently approved anti-eosinophil agents, a number of key questions and challenges remain far from settled, thereby generating opportunity to further explore this enigmatic cell. A comprehensive understanding of eosinophils biology and function will surely aid in developing improved therapeutic strategies against eosinophils-associated disorders.

Clinicopathological and prognostic value of lncRNAs expression in gastric cancer: A field synopsis of observational studies and databases validation

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate existing evidence in the field of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and prognosis of gastric cancer.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed through the electronic database. The combined hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), or progression free survival (PFS) were calculated to assess the strength of the association. Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter was used to verify lncRNA HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) expression and OS.

RESULTS

Overall, a significant correlation between high lncRNAs expression and poor OS was explored in patients with gastric cancer (HR = 1.78, P < .001). Subgroup analysis based on statistical methods indicated the high expression of lncRNAs in log-rank (HR = 1.87, P < .001) and multivariate analysis (HR = 1.71, P < .001) were all significantly correlated with the poor OS. Clinicopathological parameters analysis showed the lncRNA expression were significantly associated prognosis, including TNM stage, tumor size, pathological differentiation, lymph nodes metastasis, distance metastasis, invasion depth and Lauren's classification. It was consistent with the verification results of bioinformatics database for lncRNA HOTAIR (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed the expression of lncRNAs and clinicopathological features may serve as effective indicators of prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

Exploring the crosstalk between long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs to unravel potential prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in β-thalassemia

β-thalassemia is a prevalent monogenic disorder characterized by reduced or absent synthesis of the β-globin chain. Although great effort has been made to ameliorate the disease severity of β-thalassemic patients, progress has been stymied due to limited understanding of the detailed molecular mechanism of disease pathogenesis. Recently, non-coding RNAs have been established as key players in regulating various physiological and pathological processes. Many ncRNAs are involved in hematopoiesis and erythroid development. Furthermore, various studies have also reported the complex interplay between different ncRNAs, such as miRNA, lncRNAs, etc. in regulating disease progression and pathogenesis. Both lncRNAs and miRNAs have been identified as independent regulators of globin gene expression and are intricately involved in disease pathogenesis; yet accumulating evidence suggests that the cross-talk between lncRNAs and miRNAs is intricately involved in the underlying globin gene expression, fine-tuning the effect of their independent regulation. In this review, we summarize the current progress of research on the roles of lncRNAs and miRNAs implicated in β-thalassemia disease, including their interactions and regulatory networks. This can provide important insights into the detailed epigenetic regulation of globin gene switching and has the potential to develop novel therapeutic approaches against β-thalassemia.

Tumor immune microenvironment lncRNAs

Long non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) (lncRNAs) are key players in tumorigenesis and immune responses. The nature of their cell type-specific gene expression and other functional evidence support the idea that lncRNAs have distinct cellular functions in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). To date, the majority of lncRNA studies have heavily relied on bulk RNA-sequencing data in which various cell types contribute to an averaged signal, limiting the discovery of cell type-specific lncRNA functions. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a potential solution for tackling this limitation despite the lack of annotations for low abundance yet cell type-specific lncRNAs. Hence, updated annotations and further understanding of the cellular expression of lncRNAs will be necessary for characterizing cell type-specific functions of lncRNA genes in the TIME. In this review, we discuss lncRNAs that are specifically expressed in tumor and immune cells, summarize the regulatory functions of the lncRNAs at the cell type level and highlight how a scRNA-seq approach can help to study the cell type-specific functions of TIME lncRNAs.

Emerging Role of Eosinophils in Resolution of Arthritis

Eosinophils are a minor component of circulating granulocytes, which are classically viewed as end-stage effector cells in host defense against helminth infection and promoting allergic responses. However, a growing body of evidence has emerged showing that eosinophils are versatile leukocytes acting as an orchestrator in the resolution of inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent synovitis that hardly resolves spontaneously. Noteworthy, a specific population of eosinophils, that is, regulatory eosinophils (rEos), was identified in the synovium of RA patients, especially in disease remission. Mechanistically, the rEos in the synovium display a unique pro-resolving signature that is distinct from their counterpart in the lung. Herein, we summarize the latest understanding of eosinophils and their emerging role in promoting the resolution of arthritis. This knowledge is crucial to the design of new approaches to rebalancing immune homeostasis in RA, considering that current therapies are centered on inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators rather than fostering the resolution of inflammation.

Increased Plasma Levels of lncRNAs LINC01268, GAS5 and MALAT1 Correlate with Negative Prognostic Factors in Myelofibrosis

Simple Summary

Myelofibrosis (MF) displays the worst prognosis among Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. There is no curative therapy for MF, except for bone marrow transplantation, which however has a consistent percentage of failure. There is thus an urgent need of novel biomarkers to complement current stratification models and to enable better management of patients. To address this issue, we herein measured the plasma levels of several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Circulating lncRNAs has been already largely described as potential non-invasive biomarkers in cancers. In our study we unveiled that LINC01268, MALAT1 (both p < 0.0001) and GAS5 (p = 0.0003) plasma levels are significantly higher in MF patients if compared with healthy donors, and their increased plasma levels correlate with several detrimental features in MF. Among them, LINC01268 is an independent variable for both OS (p = 0.0297) and LFS (p = 0.0479), thus representing a putative new biomarker suitable for integrate contemporary prognostic models.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recently described as key mediators in the development of hematological malignancies. In the last years, circulating lncRNAs have been proposed as a new class of non-invasive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and to predict treatment response. The present study is aimed to investigate the potential of circulating lncRNAs as non-invasive prognostic biomarkers in myelofibrosis (MF), the most severe among Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. We detected increased levels of seven circulating lncRNAs in plasma samples of MF patients (n = 143), compared to healthy controls (n = 65). Among these, high levels of LINC01268, MALAT1 or GAS5 correlate with detrimental clinical variables, such as high count of leukocytes and CD34+ cells, severe grade of bone marrow fibrosis and presence of splenomegaly. Strikingly, high plasma levels of LINC01268 (p = 0.0018), GAS5 (p = 0.0008) or MALAT1 (p = 0.0348) are also associated with a poor overall-survival while high levels of LINC01268 correlate with a shorter leukemia-free-survival. Finally, multivariate analysis demonstrated that the plasma level of LINC01268 is an independent prognostic variable, suggesting that, if confirmed in future in an independent patients’ cohort, it could be used for further studies to design an updated classification model for MF patients.

Identification of Potential Key lncRNAs in the Context of Mouse Myeloid Differentiation by Systematic Transcriptomics Analysis

Hematopoietic differentiation is a well-orchestrated process by many regulators such as transcription factor and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, due to the large number of lncRNAs and the difficulty in determining their roles, the study of lncRNAs is a considerable challenge in hematopoietic differentiation. Here, through gene co-expression network analysis over RNA-seq data generated from representative types of mouse myeloid cells, we obtained a catalog of potential key lncRNAs in the context of mouse myeloid differentiation. Then, employing a widely used in vitro cell model, we screened a novel lncRNA, named Gdal1 (Granulocytic differentiation associated lncRNA 1), from this list and demonstrated that Gdal1 was required for granulocytic differentiation. Furthermore, knockdown of Cebpe, a principal transcription factor of granulocytic differentiation regulation, led to down-regulation of Gdal1, but not vice versa. In addition, expression of genes involved in myeloid differentiation and its regulation, such as Cebpa, were influenced in Gdal1 knockdown cells with differentiation blockage. We thus systematically identified myeloid differentiation associated lncRNAs and substantiated the identification by investigation of one of these lncRNAs on cellular phenotype and gene regulation levels. This study promotes our understanding of the regulation of myeloid differentiation and the characterization of roles of lncRNAs in hematopoietic system.

Long Noncoding RNA EGOT Responds to Stress Signals to Regulate Cell Inflammation and Growth

The cell has several mechanisms to sense and neutralize stress. Stress-related stimuli activate pathways that counteract danger, support cell survival, and activate the inflammatory response. We use human cells to show that these processes are modulated by EGOT, a long noncoding RNA highly induced by viral infection, whose inhibition results in increased levels of antiviral IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) and decreased viral replication. We now show that EGOT is induced in response to cell stress, viral replication, or the presence of pathogen-associated molecular patterns via the PI3K/AKT, MAPKs, and NF-κB pathways, which lead to cell survival and inflammation. Transcriptome analysis and validation experiments show that EGOT modulates PI3K/AKT and NF-κB responses. On the one hand, EGOT inhibition decreases expression of PI3K/AKT-induced cellular receptors and cell proliferation. In fact, EGOT levels are increased in several tumors. On the other hand, EGOT inhibition results in decreased levels of key NF-κB target genes, including those required for inflammation and ISGs in those cells that build an antiviral response. Mechanistically, EGOT depletion decreases the levels of the key coactivator TBLR1, essential for transcription by NF-κB. In summary, EGOT is induced in response to stress and may function as a switch that represses ISG transcription until a proper antiviral or stress response is initiated. EGOT then helps PI3K/AKT, MAPKs, and NF-κB pathways to activate the antiviral response, cell inflammation, and growth. We believe that modulation of EGOT levels could be used as a therapy for the treatment of certain viral infections, immune diseases, and cancer.

Role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in hematopoietic stem cell differentiation

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have diverse roles in the differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Among these transcripts, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have especial contribution in this regard particularly by affecting levels of transcription factors that define differentiation of each linage. miR-222, miR-10a, miR-126, miR-106, miR-10b, miR-17, miR-20, miR-146, miR-155, miR-223, miR-221, miR-92, miR-150, miR-126 and miR-142 are among miRNAs that partake in the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Meanwhile, this process is controlled by a number of lncRNAs such as PU.1-AS, AlncRNA-EC7, EGO, HOTAIRM1, Fas-AS1, LincRNA-EPS and lncRNA-CSR. Manipulation of expression of these transcripts has functional significance in the treatment of cancers and in cell therapy. In this paper, we have provided a brief summary of the role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Emerging role of long non-coding RNAs in normal and malignant hematopoiesis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been discovered and are increasingly recognized as vital components of modern molecular biology. Accumulating evidence shows that lncRNAs have emerged as important mediators in diverse biological processes such as cell differentiation, pluripotency, and tumorigenesis, while the function of lncRNAs in the field of normal and malignant hematopoiesis remains to be further elucidated. Here, we widely reviewed recent advances and summarize the characteristics and basic mechanisms of lncRNAs and keep abreast of developments of lncRNAs within the field of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Based on gene regulatory networks at different levels of lncRNAs participation, lncRNAs have been shown to regulate gene expression from epigenetics, transcription and post transcription. The expression of lncRNAs is highly cell-specific and critical for the development and activation of hematopoiesis. Moreover, we also summarized the role of lncRNAs involved in hematological malignancies in recent years. LncRNAs have been found to play an emerging role in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, which may provide novel ideas for the diagnosis and therapeutic targets of hematological diseases in the foreseeable future.

The role of lncRNAs in innate immunity and inflammation

The innate immune system relies on a germ-line-encoded repertoire of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), activated by deeply conserved pathogen signatures, such as bacterial cell wall components or foreign nucleic acids. To enable effective defence against invading pathogens and prevent from deleterious inflammation, PRR-driven immune responses are tightly controlled by a dense network of nuclear and cytoplasmic regulators. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as important components of these regulatory circuitries, providing positive and negative control of PRR-induced innate immune responses. The present review provides an overview of the presently known roles of lncRNAs in human and murine innate antiviral and antibacterial immunity. The emerging roles in host defence and inflammation suggest that further mechanistic insights into the cellular functions of lncRNAs will decisively advance our molecular understanding of immune-associated diseases and open new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Downregulation of Long Non-coding RNA Nuclear Paraspeckle Assembly Transcript 1 Inhibits MEG-01 Differentiation and Platelet-Like Particles Activity

Platelets are derived from megakaryocytes and play an important role in blood coagulation. By using high throughput sequencing, we have found that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) is abundant in platelets (GEO ID: 200097348). However, little is known about its role in regulating megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet activity. This study aims to clarify the effect of NEAT1 on MEG-01 differentiation and platelet-like particle (PLP) activity. NEAT1 in MEG-01 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection. The adhesion of MEG-01 and PLP to collagen-coated coverslips was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Flow cytometry was used to investigate cell apoptosis, cell cycle, the levels of D41/CD42b on MEG-01 cells and CD62P on PLPs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect NEAT1 and IL-8 expression levels. Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and IL-8. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction of NEAT1 and splicing factor proline/glutamine-rich (SFPQ). Results showed that NEAT1 knockdown decreased the adhesion ability of thrombin-stimulated MEG-01 and PLP. The expression of CD62P on PLPs and CD41/CD42b on MEG-01 cells was inhibited by NEAT1 knockdown. In addition, NEAT1 knockdown inhibited cell apoptosis with increased Bcl2/Bax ratio and decreased cleaved caspase-3, and reduced the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, NEAT1 knockdown inhibited the expression of IL-8. A strong interaction of NEAT1 and SFPQ, a transcriptional repressor of IL-8, was identified. NEAT1 knockdown reduced the interaction between SFPQ and NEAT1.The results suggest that lncRNA NEAT1 knockdown decreases MEG-01 differentiation, PLP activity, and IL-8 level. The results also indicate that the regulation of NEAT1 on IL-8 may be realized via a direct interaction between NEAT1 and SFPQ.

The role of long non-coding RNAs and downstream signaling pathways in leukemia progression

The study of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) is a newly established field and our knowledge about them is rapidly growing. These kinds of RNAs are unchanged parts of the genome throughout evolution, that modulate cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis during diverse physiological and pathological processes including leukemia development. They have the capability to be useful biomarkers for the diagnosis, clinical typing, prognosis, as well as potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we summarized the role of lncRNAs in the expression and function of white blood cells and oncogenic transformation into four main types of leukemia.

Long non-coding RNAs and MYC association in hematological malignancies

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have an established role in cell biology. Among their functions is the regulation of hematopoiesis. They characterize the different stages of hematopoiesis in a more lineage-restricted expression pattern than coding mRNAs. They affect hematopoietic stem cell renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of committed progenitors by interacting with master regulators transcription factors. Among these transcription factors, MYC has a prominent role. Similar to MYC's transcriptional activation/amplification of protein coding genes, MYC also regulates lncRNAs' expression profile, while it is also regulated by lncRNAs. Both myeloid and lymphoid malignancies are prone to the association of MYC with lncRNAs. Such interaction inhibits apoptosis, enhances cell proliferation, deregulates metabolism, and promotes genomic instability and resistance to treatment. In this review, we discuss the recent findings that encompass the crosstalk between lncRNAs and describe the pathways that very probably have a pathogenetic role in both acute and chronic hematologic malignancies.

LncRNA EGOT decreases breast cancer cell viability and migration via inactivation of the Hedgehog pathway

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Eosinophil Granule Ontogeny Transcript (EGOT) has been reported to inhibit the proliferation and migration of glioma cells, and promote the development and progression of gastric cancer through the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. This study was conducted to assess the role of EGOT in the progression of breast cancer. We observed that EGOT is significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, and EGOT expression is negatively correlated with the Ki67 expression. Overexpression of EGOT in BT549 cells decreased cell viability and migration. In addition, overexpression of EGOT resulted in decreases in expression of key genes in the Hh pathway, including Gli1, smoothened protein, protein patched homolog 1 and Hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP). Breast cancer tissues exhibited an increase in Gli1 expressions. Altered expression of Gli1, smoothened protein, protein patched homolog 1 and HHIP caused by EGOT overexpression were fully restored in cells transfected with plasmid complementory DNA (pcDNA) EGOT and treated with purmorphamine, an agonist of the Hh pathway. Cell viability and migration were also restored by purmorphamine. We conclude that lncRNA EGOT may inhibit breast cancer cell viability and migration via inactivation of the Hh pathway.

LncRNA Functions as a New Emerging Epigenetic Factor in Determining the Fate of Stem Cells

Pluripotent stem cells have broad applications in regenerative medicine and offer ideal models for understanding the biological process of embryonic development and specific diseases. Studies suggest that the self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation of stem cells are regulated by a complex network consisting of transcription factors, chromatin regulators, signaling factors, and non-coding RNAs. It is of great interest to identify RNA regulatory factors that determine the fate of stem cells. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a class of non-coding RNAs with more than 200 bp in length, has been shown to act as essential epigenetic regulators of stem cell pluripotency and specific lineage commitment. In this review, we focus on recent research progress related to the function and epigenetic mechanisms of lncRNA in determining the fate of stem cells, particularly pluripotency maintenance and lineage-specific differentiation. We discuss the role of the Oct4 and Sox2 promoter-interacting lncRNA as identified by Chromatin RNA In Situ reverse Transcription sequencing (CRIST-seq). Further understanding of their potential actions will provide a basis for the development of regenerative medicine for clinical application. This work offers comprehensive details and better understanding of the role of lncRNA in determining the fate of stem cells and paves the way for clinical stem cell applications.

LncRNAs in HCV Infection and HCV-Related Liver Disease

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts with poor coding capacity that may interact with proteins, DNA, or other RNAs to perform structural and regulatory functions. The lncRNA transcriptome changes significantly in most diseases, including cancer and viral infections. In this review, we summarize the functional implications of lncRNA-deregulation after infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV leads to chronic infection in many patients that may progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most lncRNAs deregulated in infected cells that have been described function to potentiate or block the antiviral response and, therefore, they have a great impact on HCV viral replication. In addition, several lncRNAs upregulated by the infection contribute to viral release. Finally, many lncRNAs have been described as deregulated in HCV-related HCC that function to enhance cell survival, proliferation, and tumor progression by different mechanisms. Interestingly, some HCV-related HCC lncRNAs can be detected in bodily fluids, and there is great hope that they could be used as biomarkers to predict cancer initiation, progression, tumor burden, response to treatment, resistance to therapy, or tumor recurrence. Finally, there is high confidence that lncRNAs could also be used to improve the suboptimal long-term outcomes of current HCC treatment options.

The functional interplay of lncRNA EGOT and HuR regulates hypoxia-induced autophagy in renal tubular cells

Autophagy, an important cellular homeostatic mechanism regulates cell survival under stress and protects against acute kidney injury. However, the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in autophagy regulation in renal tubular cells (HK-2) is unclear. The study was aimed to understand the importance of lncRNA in hypoxia-induced autophagy in HK-2 cells. LncRNA eosinophil granule ontogeny transcript (EGOT) was identified as autophagy-associated lncRNA under hypoxia. The lncRNA EGOT expression was significantly downregulated in renal tubular cells during hypoxia-induced autophagy. Gain- and loss-of-EGOT functional studies revealed that EGOT overexpression reduced autophagy by downregulation of ATG7, ATG16L1, LC3II expressions and LC 3 puncta while EGOT knockdown reversed the suppression of autophagy. Importantly, RNA-binding protein, (ELAVL1)/Hu antigen R (HuR) binds and stabilizes the EGOT expression under normoxia and ATG7/16L1 expressions under hypoxia. Furthermore, HuR mediated stabilization of ATG7/16L1 expressions under hypoxia causes a decline in EGOT levels and thereby promotes autophagy. Altogether, the study first reveals the functional interplay of lncRNA EGOT and HuR on the posttranscriptional regulation of the ATG7/16L1 expressions. Thus, the HuR/EGOT/ATG7/16L1 axis is crucial for hypoxia-induced autophagy in renal tubular cells.

Contributions of Eosinophils to Human Health and Disease

The human eosinophil has long been thought to favorably influence innate mucosal immunity but at times has also been incriminated in disease pathophysiology. Research into eosinophil biology has uncovered a number of interesting contributions by eosinophils to health and disease. However, it appears that not all eosinophils from all species are created equal. It remains unclear, for example, exactly how having eosinophils benefits the human host when helminth infections in the developed world have become scarce. This review focuses on our current state of knowledge as it relates to human eosinophils. When information is lacking, we discuss lessons learned from mouse studies that may or may not directly apply to human biology and disease. It is an exciting time to be an "eosinophilosopher" because the use of biologic agents that selectively target eosinophils provides an unprecedented opportunity to define the contribution of this cell to eosinophil-associated human diseases.

Eosinophils and other peripheral blood biomarkers in glioma grading: a preliminary study

Background

Many peripheral blood biomarkers are associated with glioma grade, but eosinophils (Eo) are scarcely reported. This study assessed preoperative peripheral eosinophil levels and other peripheral biomarkers presented in prior literature, probing their associations and diagnostic value in the grading of glioma, including its most aggressive type, glioblastoma (GBM).

Methods

Patients newly diagnosed with neuroepithelial tumors were included and divided into low-grade glioma (LGG)/high-grade glioma (HGG) groups and non-GBM/GBM groups separately. Preoperative peripheral biomarkers were collected, such as the counts of Eo, neutrophils (Neu), and lymphocytes (Ly), and values such as the eosinophil to lymphocyte ratio (ELR) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were calculated. Correlation analyses were also performed between these biomarkers and the groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized to assess the individual and joint diagnostic values of the biomarkers.

Results

The HGG patients presented lower Eo and ELR values, which had negative correlations with glioma grade. The diagnostic efficiency of Eo and ELR could be enhanced when combined other biomarkers. In the non-GBM vs GBM analysis, GBM patients displayed reduced Eo and a negative correlation between Eo and a GBM diagnosis The combination of Eo and other biomarkers enhanced the diagnostic efficiency.

Conclusions

A negative correlation between peripheral eosinophils and glioma grade was found in our study. Numerous cytokines derived from eosinophils could regulate the immune response and affect the tumor microenvironment; moreover, eosinophils may inhibit the tumorigenesis of glioma, which should be explored in the future and may enlighten some new paths for glioma therapy.

Epigenetic regulation of hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis

As one of the best characterized adult stem cells, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homeostasis is of great importance to hematopoiesis and immunity due to HSC's abilities of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation into functional blood cells. However, excessive self-renewal of HSCs can lead to severe hematopoietic malignancies like leukemia, whereas deficient self-renewal of HSCs may result in HSC exhaustion and eventually apoptosis of specialized cells, giving rise to abnormalities such as immunodeficiency or anemia. How HSC homeostasis is maintained has been studied for decades and regulatory factors can be generally categorized into two classes: genetic factors and epigenetic factors. Although genetic factors such as signaling pathways or transcription factors have been well explored, recent studies have emerged the indispensable roles of epigenetic factors. In this review, we have summarized regulatory mechanisms of HSC homeostasis by epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNAs, and RNA modification, which will facilitate applications such as HSC ex vivo expansion and exploration of novel therapeutic approaches for many hematological diseases.

Identification of a novel long non-coding RNA within RUNX1 intron 5

Background

RUNX1 gene, a master regulator of the hematopoietic process, participates in pathological conditions as a partner for several genes in chromosomal translocations. One of the most frequent chromosomal translocations found in acute myeloid leukemia patients is the t(8;21), in which RUNX1 and ETO genes recombine. In RUNX1 gene, the DNA double-strand breaks that originate the t(8;21) are generated in the intron 5, specifically within three regions designated as BCR1, BCR2, and BCR3. To date, what determines that these regions are more susceptible to DNA double-strand breaks is not completely clear. In this report, we characterized RUNX1 intron 5, by analyzing DNase-seq and ChIP-seq data, available in the ENCODE Project server, to evaluate DNaseI hypersensitivity and the presence of the epigenetic mark H3K4me3 in 124 and 51 cell types, respectively.

Results

Our results show that intron 5 exhibits an epigenetic mark distribution similar to known promoter regions. Moreover, using the online tool YAPP and available CAGE data from the ENCODE Project server, we identified several putative transcription start sites within intron 5 in regions BCR2 and BCR3. Finally, available EST data was analyzed, identifying a novel uncharacterized long non-coding RNA, which is expressed in hematopoietic cell lines as shown by RT-PCR. Our data suggests that the core promoter of the novel long non-coding RNA locates within the region BCR3.

Conclusion

We identified a novel long non-coding RNA within RUNX1 intron 5, transcribed from a promoter located in the region BCR3, one of the chromosomal breakpoints of RUNX1 gene.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40246-019-0219-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Long Noncoding RNAs in Host-Pathogen Interactions

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key molecules that regulate gene expression in a variety of organisms. LncRNAs can drive different transcriptional and post-transcriptional events that impact cellular functions. Recent studies have identified many lncRNAs associated with immune cell development and activation; however, an understanding of their functional role in host immunity to infection is just emerging. Here, we provide a detailed and updated review of the functional roles of lncRNAs in regulating mammalian immune responses during host-pathogen interactions, because these functions may be either beneficial or detrimental to the host. With increased mechanistic insight into the roles of lncRNAs, it may be possible to design and/or improve lncRNA-based therapies to treat a variety of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

lncRNA Spehd Regulates Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells and Is Required for Multilineage Differentiation

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) show patterns of tissue- and cell type-specific expression that are very similar to those of protein coding genes and consequently have the potential to control stem and progenitor cell fate decisions along a differentiation trajectory. To understand the roles that lncRNAs may play in hematopoiesis, we selected a subset of mouse lncRNAs with potentially relevant expression patterns and refined our candidate list using evidence of conserved expression in human blood lineages. For each candidate, we assessed its possible role in hematopoietic differentiation in vivo using competitive transplantation. Our studies identified two lncRNAs that were required for hematopoiesis. One of these, Spehd, showed defective multilineage differentiation, and its silencing yielded common myeloid progenitors that are deficient in their oxidative phosphorylation pathway. This effort not only suggests that lncRNAs can contribute to differentiation decisions during hematopoiesis but also provides a path toward the identification of functional lncRNAs in other differentiation hierarchies.

Long Non-Coding RNA and Acute Leukemia

Acute leukemia (AL) is the main type of cancer in children worldwide. Mortality by this disease is high in developing countries and its etiology remains unanswered. Evidences showing the role of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathophysiology of hematological malignancies have increased drastically in the last decade. In addition to the contribution of these lncRNAs in leukemogenesis, recent studies have suggested that lncRNAs could be used as biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response in leukemia patients. The focus of this review is to describe the functional classification, biogenesis, and the role of lncRNAs in leukemogenesis, to summarize the evidence about the lncRNAs which are playing a role in AL, and how these genes could be useful as potential therapeutic targets.

The Opening of Pandora's Box: An Emerging Role of Long Noncoding RNA in Viral Infections

Emerging evidence has proved that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in various physiological and pathological processes. Recent evidence has demonstrated that lncRNAs are crucial regulators of virus infections and antiviral immune responses. Upon viral infections, significant changes take place at the transcriptional level and the majority of the expression modifications occur in lncRNAs from both the host and viral genomes with dynamic regulatory courses. These lncRNAs exert diverse effects. Some are antiviral either through directly inhibiting viral infections or through stimulating antiviral immune responses, while others are pro-viral through directly promoting virus replication or through influencing cellular status, such as suppressing antiviral mechanisms. Consequently, these dynamic regulations lead to disparate pathophysiological outcomes and clinical manifestations. This review will focus on the roles of lncRNAs in viral infection and antiviral responses, summarize expression patterns of both host- and virally derived lncRNAs, describe their acting stages and modes of action, discuss challenges and novel concepts, and propose solutions and perspectives. Research into lncRNA will help identify novel viral infection-related regulators and design preventative and therapeutic strategies against virus-related diseases and immune disorders.

Long non-coding RNAs in hematological malignancies: translating basic techniques into diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

Recent studies have revealed that non-coding regions comprise the vast majority of the human genome and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a diverse class of non-coding RNAs that has been implicated in a variety of biological processes. Abnormal expression of lncRNAs has also been linked to different human diseases including cancers, yet the regulatory mechanisms and functional effects of lncRNAs are still ambiguous, and the molecular details also need to be confirmed. Unlike protein-coding gene, it is much more challenging to unravel the roles of lncRNAs owing to their unique and complex features such as functional diversity and low conservation among species, which greatly hamper their experimental characterization. In this review, we summarize and discuss both conventional and advanced approaches for the identification and functional characterization of lncRNAs related to hematological malignancies. In particular, the utility and advancement of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system as gene-editing tools are envisioned to facilitate the molecular dissection of lncRNAs via different knock-in/out strategies. Besides experimental considerations specific to lncRNAs, the roles of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis and progression of leukemia are also highlighted in the review. We expect that these insights may ultimately lead to clinical applications including development of biomarkers and novel therapeutic approaches targeting lncRNAs.

Molecular Moirai: Long Noncoding RNA Mediators of HSC Fate

Purpose of Review

Hematopoiesis is an ordered developmental process that requires dynamic regulation to warrant proper response to physiological challenges and prevent malignancies. Long noncoding RNAs are emerging as key, multi-faceted regulators of gene expression. This review explores the function of lncRNAs in the control of HSC homeostasis and hematopoietic differentiation.

Recent Findings

Multiple lncRNAs have been implicated in maintaining HSC stemness and enabling progenitors to carry out the correct programs of lineage differentiation. Specific lncRNAs have been identified that regulate the differentiation of multipotent progenitors into terminally differentiated blood cells. These lncRNAs predominantly act by assisting master regulators that drive specific differentiation programs, either by enhancing or repressing the transcription of particular genomic loci.

Summary

Long noncoding RNAs contribute to the correct differentiation and maturation of various hematopoietic lineages by assisting with the activation of transcriptional programs in a time- and cell-dependent manner.

Long non-coding RNAs in hematopoietic regulation

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have crucial roles via tethering with DNA, RNA or protein in diverse biological processes. These lncRNA-mediated interactions enhance gene regulatory networks and modulate a wide range of downstream genes. It has been demonstrated that several lncRNAs act as key regulators in hematopoiesis. This review highlights the roles of lncRNAs in normal hematopoietic development and discusses how lncRNA dysregulation correlates with disease prognoses and phenotypes.

The Long Non-coding RNA Flatr Anticipates Foxp3 Expression in Regulatory T Cells

Mammalian genomes encode a plethora of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). These transcripts are thought to regulate gene expression, influencing biological processes from development to pathology. Results from the few lncRNA that have been studied in the context of the immune system have highlighted potentially critical functions as network regulators. Here we explored the nature of the lncRNA transcriptome in regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of CD4⁺ T cells required to establish and maintain immunological self-tolerance. The identified Treg lncRNA transcriptome showed distinct differences from that of non-regulatory CD4⁺ T cells, with evidence of direct shaping of the lncRNA transcriptome by Foxp3, the master transcription factor driving the distinct mRNA profile of Tregs. Treg lncRNA changes were disproportionally reversed in the absence of Foxp3, with an enrichment for colocalisation with Foxp3 DNA binding sites, indicating a direct coordination of transcription by Foxp3 independent of the mRNA coordination function. We further identified a novel lncRNA Flatr, as a member of the core Treg lncRNA transcriptome. Flatr expression anticipates Foxp3 expression during in vitro Treg conversion, and Flatr-deficient mice show a mild delay in in vitro and peripheral Treg induction. These results implicate Flatr as part of the upstream cascade leading to Treg conversion, and may provide clues as to the nature of this process.

Long Non-Coding RNA-Mediated Regulation of the Interferon Response: A New Perspective on a Familiar Theme

The interferon (IFN) response is a critical and ubiquitous component of the innate immune response to pathogens. Detailed studies in the last decades have elucidated the function of a large number of proteins that mediate the complex signaling pathways and gene expression programs involved in the interferon response. The recent discovery of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a new category of cellular effectors has led to studies aiming to understand the role of these transcripts in the IFN response. Several high throughput studies have shown that a large number of lncRNAs are differentially expressed following IFN stimulation and/or viral infections. In-depth study of a very small fraction of the identified lncRNAs has revealed critical roles for this class of transcripts in the regulation of multiple steps of the IFN response, and pointed to the presence of an extensive RNA-mediated regulatory network during the antiviral response. As the vast majority of the identified potential regulatory lncRNAs remain unstudied, it is highly likely that future studies will reveal a completely new perspective on the regulation of the IFN response, with lncRNA- and protein-mediated regulatory networks coordinating the duration, magnitude, and character of this aspect of the innate immune response. In addition to providing a more complete picture of the IFN response, these studies will likely identify new therapeutic targets that in the long term may impact the therapeutic options available against microbial infections and diseases of the immune system.

Regulation of hematopoiesis and immune responses by long non-coding RNAs

Since the first draft of the human genome sequence was released in 2001, unprecedentedly rapid progress has been made in whole genome-wide approaches by utilizing next-generation-sequencing technologies. The last decade alone has generated enormous data in the forms of exome sequencing, transcriptomes, transcription factor occupancy, genomic variation profiling and epigenetic modifications. One of the most striking realizations from sequencing studies has been the discovery and characterization of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Although the extent to which ncRNAs are functional in vivo is still a controversial topic, there is at least a consensus that some ncRNAs are functional and that they play various roles in biology. Among the several kinds of ncRNAs, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) in particular have received more attention because they have a larger potential to act as multifunctional regulators. Not surprisingly, researchers in the field of immunology have started to examine ncRNAs as new regulatory mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize some lncRNAs that have been reported to function in the immune system and then argue that there is still a long way to go before we can achieve a complete understanding of lncRNAs.

Genome-wide analysis of aberrantly expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs with associated co-expression and ceRNA networks in β-thalassemia and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin

The implications of lncRNAs regarding fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction in hemoglobin disorders remain poorly understood. In this study, microarray analysis was performed to profile lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs in individuals with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), β-thalassemia carriers with high HbF levels and healthy controls. The results show aberrant expression of 862 lncRNAs, 568 mRNAs and 63 miRNAs in the high-HbF group compared with the control group. Altered NR_001589, NR_120526, T315543, miR-486-3p, miR-19b-1-5p and miR-20a-3p expression was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Spearman correlation coefficients revealed significant positive correlations with HbF. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses showed the hematopoietic cell lineage and apoptosis to be most significantly dysregulated in HbF induction. We analyzed coding genes near the lncRNAs and constructed a coding-noncoding co-expression network. Based on the results, lncRNAs likely contribute to increased HbF levels by activating expression of HBE1 and hematopoietic cell lineage-inducible molecules and by inhibiting that of apoptosis-inducible molecules. Finally, through construction of a competing endogenous RNA network, we found that 6 lncRNAs could bind competitively with miR-486-3p, resulting in increased HbF levels. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of HbF induction and potentially provide new targets for the treatment of β-thalassemia major.

Long non-coding RNAs in normal and malignant hematopoiesis

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as ncRNAs of more than 200 nt in length. They are involved in a large spectrum of biological processes, such as maintenance of genome integrity, genomic imprinting, cell differentiation, and development by means of mechanisms that remain to be fully elucidated. Besides their role in normal cellular physiology, accumulating evidence has linked lncRNA expression and functions to cancer development and progression. In this review, we summarize and discuss what is known about their expression and roles in hematopoiesis with a particular focus on their cell-type specificity, functional interactions, and involvement in the pathobiology of hematological malignancies.

LncRNA EGOT Promotes Tumorigenesis Via Hedgehog Pathway in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the mostly terminal malignancies with poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNA EGOT (EGOT) acts as a crucial regulator in the breast cancer. However, the function of EGOT in GC remains unknown. This work was to explore the clinical value and biological significance of EGOT in GC. EGOT levels in GC tissue and cell were analyzed by qRT-PCR. After knockdown of EGOT, GC cell growth and cycle progression were detected. The expression of EGOT was observably elevated in GC. Upregulation of EGOT was related with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage. In addition, knockdown of EGOT by siRNA could significantly inhibit GC cell proliferation and arrest cycle progression in G1 phase. Moreover, EGOT mediated cyclin D1 expression in GC cells which was regulated by Hedgehog pathway. Further, loss of EGOT downregulated Hedgehog signaling pathway in GC cells. EGOT functions as an oncogene in GC, and may be useful as a conceivable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for GC tumorigenesis.

Beyond mRNA: The role of non-coding RNAs in normal and aberrant hematopoiesis

The role of non-coding Ribonucleic Acids (ncRNAs) in biology is currently an area of intense focus. Hematopoiesis requires rapidly changing regulatory molecules to guide appropriate differentiation and ncRNA are well suited for this. It is not surprising that virtually all aspects of hematopoiesis have roles for ncRNAs assigned to them and doubtlessly much more await characterization. Stem cell maintenance, lymphoid, myeloid and erythroid differentiation are all regulated by various ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and various transposable elements within the genome. As our understanding of the many and complex ncRNA roles continues to grow, new discoveries are challenging the existing classification schemes. In this review we briefly overview the broad categories of ncRNAs and discuss a few examples regulating normal and aberrant hematopoiesis.

Identification of lncRNA EGOT as a tumor suppressor in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer and the prognosis of metastatic RCC remains poor, with a high rate of recurrence and mortality. Long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) is a class of RNA which serves important roles in multiple cellular processes and tumorigenesis. In the present study, the expression and function of lncRNA eosinophil granule ontogeny transcript (EGOT) were examined in RCC. In 24 paired tissues (RCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues) the results of reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that EGOT was downregulated in 22 RCC tissues compared with paired tissues. Upregulation of lncRNA EGOT by transfection of 786‑O and ACHN RCC cells with pcDNA3.1‑EGOT suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced RCC cell apoptosis. The results demonstrated that EGOT may serve as a tumor suppressor in RCC and may be a potential prognostic biomarker of RCC.

Long Non-coding RNAs in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Cells

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) often leads to a chronic infection in the liver that may progress to steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several viral and cellular factors are required for a productive infection and for the development of liver disease. Some of these are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) deregulated in infected cells. After HCV infection, the sequence and the structure of the viral RNA genome are sensed to activate interferon (IFN) synthesis and signaling pathways. These antiviral pathways regulate transcription of several cellular lncRNAs. Some of these are also deregulated in response to viral replication. Certain viral proteins and/or viral replication can activate transcription factors such as MYC, SP1, NRF2, or HIF1α that modulate the expression of additional cellular lncRNAs. Interestingly, several lncRNAs deregulated in HCV-infected cells described so far play proviral or antiviral functions by acting as positive or negative regulators of the IFN system, while others help in the development of liver cirrhosis and HCC. The study of the structure and mechanism of action of these lncRNAs may aid in the development of novel strategies to treat infectious and immune pathologies and liver diseases such as cirrhosis and HCC.