title: Long non-coding RNAs: the epigenetic regulators involved in the pathogenesis of reproductive disorder.
abstract: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are long single-stranded RNAs without translation potential. LncRNAs function in regulating epigenetic and cellular processes through various mechanisms. Nowadays, rapidly growing evidence has shown that abnormally expressed lncRNAs were involved in various inflammation-related states or diseases. Abnormal inflammation responses contribute to reproductive pathology and play vital roles in developing most disorders of the female reproductive system. In this review, we discussed the history of ncRNAs including lncRNAs, methodologies for lncRNA identification, mechanisms of lncRNA expression and regulation and mainly discussed the expression and function of lncRNAs in the female reproductive system with special focus on the inflammation and infection pathway. By analyzing the present available studies of lncRNA transcripts within the reproductive system and the current understanding of the biology of lncRNAs, we have suggested the important diagnostic and therapeutic roles of lncRNAs in the etiology of reproductive disorders.
authors.affiliation: Peking University Center of Medical Genetics, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Nanbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000235:genetics*; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding
keywords: Infection; inflammation; lncRNAs; reproductive system