Non-coding RNA regulation of immunity

Abstract

Abstract Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) comprise a diverse range of biologically functional RNA species that include long ncRNAs (lncRNA) and short ncRNAs such as piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNA) and microRNAs (miRNA). These ncRNAs are capable of regulating gene expression via distinct mechanisms depending on their structure---miRNAs bind specific messenger RNAs (mRNA) to block translation while lncRNAs tend to bind chromatin to modify chromatin states to interfere with gene expression. NcRNAs have been identified in numerous diseases as having altered expression. To further elucidate the role of ncRNAs in immunity, we conducted a screen of lncRNA expression in the interleukin-10 knockout mouse (IL-10−/−) model of intestinal inflammation. This screen identified several candidate lncRNAs with dysregulated expression. Importantly, our data demonstrate that Malat1 and Hoxa11as expression was significantly decreased in mice with severe intestinal pathology. These results suggest that an association exists between these lncRNAs and the progression of disease in the IL-10−/− mouse model of colitis.