Host Long Noncoding RNAs as Key Players in Mycobacteria-Host Interactions

Abstract

Mycobacterial infections, caused by various species within the Mycobacterium genus, remain one of the main challenges to global health across the world. Understanding the complex interplay between the host and mycobacterial pathogens is essential for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Host long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in cellular response to bacterial infections within host cells. This review provides an overview of the intricate relationship between mycobacterial infections and host lncRNAs in the context of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections. Accumulation of evidence indicates that host lncRNAs play a critical role in regulating cellular response to mycobacterial infection within host cells, such as macrophages, the primary host cells for mycobacterial intracellular survival. The expression of specific host lncRNAs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of mycobacterial infections, providing potential targets for the development of novel host-directed therapies and biomarkers for TB diagnosis. In summary, this review aims to highlight the current state of knowledge regarding the involvement of host lncRNAs in mycobacterial infections. It also emphasizes their potential application as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Mycobacterium bovis BCG; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; host cells; lncRNAs; long noncoding RNAs; macrophages; mycobacterial infections; non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Figure 1

Host lncRNAs in mycobacterial infections. PRC2: Polycomb repressive complex 2; DUSP4: Dual-specificity protein phosphatase 4; SATB1: Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-1; NF-κβ: Nuclear factor kappa B; STAT3: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; LC3: Microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (MAP1LC3B); RHEB: Ras homolog enriched in brain; A20: TNF alpha induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3); hnRNPA2/B1: Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1; FUBP3: Far upstream element-binding protein 3; ULK1: Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinases 1; mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor beta; TRAF6: TNF receptor-associated factor 6.