Potential Roles of Long Noncoding RNAs as Therapeutic Targets in Renal Fibrosis

Abstract

Many studies have made clear that most of the genome is transcribed into noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), both of which can affect different cell features. LncRNAs are long heterogeneous RNAs that regulate gene expression and a variety of signaling pathways involved in cellular homeostasis and development. Several studies have demonstrated that lncRNA is an important class of regulatory molecule that can be targeted to change cellular physiology and function. The expression or dysfunction of lncRNAs is closely related to various hereditary, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases, and tumors. Specifically, recent work has shown that lncRNAs have an important role in kidney pathogenesis. The effective roles of lncRNAs have been recognized in renal ischemia, injury, inflammation, fibrosis, glomerular diseases, renal transplantation, and renal-cell carcinoma. The present review focuses on the emerging role and function of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of kidney inflammation and fibrosis as novel essential regulators. Although lncRNAs are important players in the initiation and progression of many pathological processes, their role in renal fibrosis remains unclear. This review summarizes the current understanding of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of kidney fibrosis and elucidates the potential role of these novel regulatory molecules as therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of kidney inflammation and fibrosis.

Inhibitory Effects of STAT3 Transcription Factor by Synthetic Decoy ODNs on Autophagy in Renal Fibrosis

“…Additionally, ODNs with consensus binding sequences for specific transcription factors have been studied regarding the regulation of gene expression in living cells [ 32 ]. Decoy ODNs are transcription repressors, that also bind to the transcription factor, inhibiting gene expression by occupying the DNA binding site of the transcription factor in the nucleus [ 54 ]. Thus, this study confirmed the regulation of autophagy expression with STAT3 decoy ODNs in a UUO mouse model.…”

The Interaction of lncRNA XLOC-2222497, AKR1C1, and Progesterone in Porcine Endometrium and Pregnancy

“…Furthermore, XLOC-2222497 and AKR1C1 were both highly expressed on day 32 of pregnancy, which was consistent with their positive regulation. lncRNAs can regulate the expression of target genes via a variety of mechanisms [74]. Because XLOC-2222497 was mainly located in the nucleus, there were two possible molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of XLOC-2222497 on AKR1C1: (1) XLOC-2222497 increased the stability of AKR1C1 mRNA.…”

Herbal Medicine in Uterine Fibroid

“…Not only in its origin, the transcriptomic, and epigenetic profiles, as well as the impact of the inter-cell matrix are all involved in uterine fibroid growth [2]. Additionally, microRNA plays a role in regulating uterine fibroid pathogenesis [3].…”