Perversely expressed long noncoding RNAs can alter host response and viral proliferation in SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND: Regulatory roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) during viral infection has become more evident in last decade, but are yet to be explored for SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS & METHODS: We analyzed RNA-seq dataset of SARS-CoV-2 infected lung epithelial cells to identify differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: Our analyses uncover 21 differentially expressed lncRNAs broadly involved in cell survival and regulation of gene expression. These lncRNAs can directly interact with six differentially expressed protein-coding genes, and ten host genes that interact with SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Also, they can block the suppressive effect of nine microRNAs induced in viral infections. CONCLUSION: Our investigation determines that deregulated lncRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection are involved in viral proliferation, cellular survival, and immune response, ultimately determining disease outcome.