Effects of Long Non-Coding RNAs Induced by the Gut Microbiome on Regulating the Development of Colorectal Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The gut microbiome can regulate the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression, which subsequently impacts the host transcriptome to change the expression of downstream target molecules, ultimately resulting in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). We focused on the important role of the microbiome in CRC and their effects on CRC-related lncRNAs. The aim of our study was to illustrate the mechanisms by which the gut microbiome mediated the occurrence and progression of CRC through the regulation of lncRNAs, because the regulatory role of the gut microbiome-induced lncRNAs in CRC has great potential and may serve as the foundation for future clinical CRC treatment, such as probiotic supplements and lncRNAs intervention. ABSTRACT: Although an imbalanced gut microbiome is closely associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), how the gut microbiome affects CRC is not known. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can affect important cellular functions such as cell division, proliferation, and apoptosis. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs can promote CRC cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis, mediating the effects of the gut microbiome on CRC. Generally, the gut microbiome regulates the lncRNAs expression, which subsequently impacts the host transcriptome to change the expression of downstream target molecules, ultimately resulting in the development and progression of CRC. We focused on the important role of the microbiome in CRC and their effects on CRC-related lncRNAs. We also reviewed the impact of the two main pathogenic bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, and metabolites of the gut microbiome, butyrate, and lipopolysaccharide, on lncRNAs. Finally, available therapies that target the gut microbiome and lncRNAs to prevent and treat CRC were proposed.