Title:LncRNA as a Therapeutic Target for Angiogenesis
Volume: 17
Issue: 15
Author(s): Mohan M. Kumar and Ravi Goyal*
Affiliation:
- Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University, School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350,United States
Keywords:
Epigenetic regulation, gene expression, intervening noncoding RNA, LncRNA, Linc-MD1.
Abstract: Background: Out of 3 billion base pairs in human genome only ~2% code for proteins;
and out of 180,000 transcripts in human cells, about 20,000 code for protein, remaining 160,000 are
non-coding transcripts. Most of these transcripts are more than 200 base pairs and constitute a group
of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Many of the lncRNA have its own promoter, and are well conserved
in mammals. Accumulating evidence indicates that lncRNAs act as molecular switches in cellular
differentiation, movement, apoptosis, and in the reprogramming of cell states by altering gene
expression patterns. However, the role of this important group of molecules in angiogenesis is not
well understood. Angiogenesis is a complex process and depends on precise regulation of gene expression.
Conclusion: Dysregulation of transcription during this process may lead to several diseases including
various cancers. As angiogenesis is an important process in cancer pathogenesis and treatment,
lncRNA may be playing an important role in angiogenesis. In support of this, lncRNA microvascular
invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (MVIH) has been shown to activate angiogenesis. Furthermore,
lncRNA-Meg3-knockout mouse showed increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor
pathway genes and increased cortical microvessel density. Overall, there is strong evidence that
lncRNA is an important class of regulatory molecule, and a number of studies have demonstrated that
these can be targeted to change cellular physiology and functions. In this review, we have attempted
to summarize these studies and elucidate the potential of this novel regulatory molecule as a therapeutic
target.
