Long Noncoding RNA: A Novel Insight into the Pathogenesis of Acute Lung Injury

Abstract

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), represent an acute stage of lung inflammation where the alveolar epithelium loses its functionality. ALI has a devastating impact on the population as it not only has a high rate of incidence, but also has high rates of morbidity and mortality. Due to the involvement of multiple factors, the pathogenesis of ALI is complex and is not fully understood yet. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non-protein-coding transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides. Growing evidence has shown that lncRNAs have a decisive role in the pathogenesis of ALI. LncRNAs can either promote or hinder the development of ALI in various cell types in the lungs. Mechanistically, current studies have found that lncRNAs play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of ALI via the regulation of small RNAs (e.g., microRNAs) or downstream proteins. Undoubtedly, lncRNAs not only have the potential to reveal the underlying mechanisms of ALI pathogenesis but also serve as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for the therapy of ALI.

Targeted degradation of hexokinase 2 for anti‑inflammatory treatment in acute lung injury

“…In severe cases, it may even lead to acute respiratory failure and death ( 2 ). According to reports, the incidence of ALI (~200,000 cases per year in the United States) and the overall mortality rate remain high, with ALI also being a prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients ( 2 , 3 ). Although the understanding of the pathogenesis of ALI has improved, there is still no effective drug therapy to reduce the mortality rates of patients with ALI ( 4 ).…”

Editorial: Novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of respiratory diseases

“…Respiratory failure can also be the result of an acute lung injury (ALI) ( Dutta et al, 2023 ). Two original research articles here studied the two main pathophysiological aspects of the Acute lung injury (ALI): injury to the vascular endothelium and to alveolar epithelium.…”