LncRNA MALAT1 in Keratinocyte function: A review of recent advances

Abstract

Keratinocytes, the principal epidermal cells, play a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of the skin. Beyond their protective role, keratinocytes are key contributors to the process of wound healing, as they migrate to injury sites, proliferate, and generate new layers of epidermis, facilitating tissue repair and remodeling. Moreover, keratinocytes actively participate in the skin's immune responses, expressing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect microbial components and interact with immune cells to influence adaptive immunity. Keratinocytes express a diverse repertoire of signaling pathways, transcription factors, and epigenetic regulators to regulate their growth, differentiation, and response to environmental cues. Among these regulatory elements, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as essential players in keratinocyte biology. LncRNAs, including MALAT1, play diverse roles in gene regulation and cellular processes, influencing keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, migration, and response to environmental stimuli. Dysregulation of specific lncRNAs such as MALAT1 can disrupt keratinocyte homeostasis, leading to impaired differentiation, compromised barrier integrity, and contributing to the pathogenesis of various skin disorders. Understanding the intricate interplay between lncRNAs and keratinocytes offers promising insights into the molecular underpinnings of skin health and disease, with potential implications for targeted therapies and advancements in dermatological research. Hence, our objective is to provide a comprehensive summary of the available knowledge concerning keratinocytes and their intricate relationship with MALAT1.

Keywords: Keratinocytes; Long non-coding RNAs; lncRNA MALAT1.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

(a) Chromosomic localization of MALAT1 gene obtained from http://www.ensembl.org/index.html [25]. (b) Secondary structure of MALAT1 predicted through bioinformatics image was sourced from a public repository (https://github.com/sinc-lab/lncRNA-folding) generously provided by by Bugnon and colleagues [22]. (c) Sequence of triple-helical stability element at the 3′ end of MALAT1 extracted from https://www.rcsb.org/ [26]. (d and e) Secondary and tertiary structure of triple-helical stability element at the 3′ end of MALAT1 respectively obtained through https://yanglab.qd.sdu.edu.cn/trRosettaRNA/ [27].

Fig. 2

MALAT1, a long non-coding RNA, intricately modulates keratinocyte biology through diverse mechanisms. It engages in intricate crosstalk with multiple miRNAs, acting as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) or miRNA sponge, influencing processes like cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.