Negative regulator of interferon response long non-coding RNA (NRIR)

Negative regulator of interferon response (NRIR), also known as lncRNA-CMPK2, is a long non-coding RNA located downstream of the CMPK2 gene, strongly induced by interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in various cell types including hepatocytes and monocytes[1][2][3][4]. NRIR acts predominantly by repressing transcription of selected interferon-stimulated antiviral genes, thereby dampening the IFN response and limiting antiviral activity in hepatocytes and epithelial cells[1][2][4]. Knockdown of NRIR enhances ISG expression and restricts viral replication, notably hepatitis C virus, suggesting therapeutic potential in modulating antiviral defenses[2][4]. However, in monocytes, NRIR may act as a positive regulator of IFN responses, revealing a complex, context-dependent function[3]. NRIR is implicated in human infectious and autoimmune conditions where IFN signaling is dysregulated, and its modulation is of interest as an emerging therapeutic target in immune regulation[1][2][3][4].

Other names

NRIRlncRNA-CMPK2lncCMPK2

Transcriptional repression: NRIR inhibits expression of a subset of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) by interacting with transcription complexes or chromatin-modifying machinery Possible epigenetic modulation: May guide factors like G9a or PRC-2 to ISG loci, leading to repressive chromatin marks Cell-type dependent function: Can also upregulate ISG expression in monocytes, acting as a positive regulator of IFN-stimulated genes in some contexts