Interleukin 6 receptor antisense RNA 1 (IL6R-AS1)

Interleukin 6 receptor antisense RNA 1 (IL6R-AS1) is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that is transcribed antisense to the IL6R gene locus. Unlike protein-coding receptors or enzymes, IL6R-AS1 does not encode a protein, but instead regulates gene expression at the RNA and chromatin levels. IL6R-AS1 is highly expressed in chronic inflammatory states such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where it promotes inflammation by increasing the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a key inflammatory cytokine. In the cytoplasm, IL6R-AS1 serves as a molecular sponge for miR-149-5p, thereby stabilizing IL6 mRNA and promoting IL-6 protein expression. In the nucleus, IL6R-AS1 recruits the transcription factor early B-cell factor 1 (EBF1) to the IL6 promoter, leading to histone modifications that activate IL6 transcription. Through these mechanisms, IL6R-AS1 amplifies inflammatory signaling, particularly in diseases such as COPD. Compared to canonical drug targets like receptors or enzymes, IL6R-AS1 functions as a regulatory RNA and does not currently serve as a direct drug target, nor are there approved drugs that act upon it.

Other names

RP11-350G8.5IL6R-AS1

Not applicable (no targeted drugs known)