Diverse roles of long non‐coding RNAs in viral diseases

Ginn, Lucy; La Montagna, Manuela; Wu, Qinghua; Shi, Lei

Viral infection leads to large alterations in the host transcriptome and stimulates an antiviral host immune response involving numerous proteins and signalling pathways. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators during viral infection. Emerging data demonstrates that lncRNAs play essential roles at the host pathogen interface modulating viral infection by either antiviral response at distinct level including pathogen recognition receptors or by epigenetic, transcriptional, and post‐transcriptional effects. Furthermore, differentially expressed lncRNAs may be employed as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for viral diseases. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of lncRNAs and their functions in viral infections with a specific focus on host‐virus responses. In addition, the potential implications of lncRNAs in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 will be discussed.