Upstream master long non-coding RNA of the inflammatory chemokine locus (UMLILO)

Upstream master long non-coding RNA of the inflammatory chemokine locus (UMLILO) is a long non-coding RNA that functions as a genomic organizer and priming mediator for the promoters of inflammatory CXCL chemokine genes located within the same topologically associating domain (TAD). UMLILO recruits the WDR5–MLL1 histone modification complex to chemokine gene promoters, resulting in H3K4me3 deposition, which establishes a primed chromatin state necessary for rapid and robust transcriptional activation during inflammation, as part of trained immunity. Unlike other immune gene-priming lncRNAs (IPLs), UMLILO is not conserved in murine genomes but is partially found in pigs, highlighting evolutionary and functional divergence. Loss of UMLILO impairs inflammatory chemokine gene expression; this can be functionally rescued by introducing other WDR5-binding lncRNAs under the UMLILO promoter. UMLILO represents an emerging therapeutic target in immune modulation but poses challenges due to its broad regulatory roles and limited cross-species conservation.

Other names

UMLILOupstream master lncRNA of the inflammatory chemokine locusimmune gene-priming lncRNA (IPL)

Drug targeting would likely involve inhibition or modulation of lncRNA expression/function, or disruption of lncRNA-protein interactions (e.g., WDR5 binding)