LncRNAs as Therapeutic Targets and Potential Biomarkers for Lipid-Related Diseases

Lipid metabolism is an essential biological process involved in nutrient adjustment, hormone regulation, and lipid homeostasis. An irregular lifestyle and long-term nutrient overload can cause lipid-related diseases, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction (MI), obesity, and fatty liver diseases. Thus, novel tools for efficient diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctional lipid metabolism are urgently required. Furthermore, it is known that lncRNAs based regulation like sponging microRNAs (miRNAs) or serving as a reservoir for microRNAs play an essential role in the progression of lipid-related diseases. Accordingly, a better understanding of the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in lipid-related diseases would provide the basis for identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lipid-related diseases. This review highlighted the latest advances on the potential biomarkers of lncRNAs in lipid-related diseases and summarised current knowledge on dysregulated lncRNAs and their potential molecular mechanisms. We have also provided novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs which might serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lipid-related diseases. The information presented here may be useful for designing future studies and advancing investigations of lncRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of lipid-related diseases.