Long non-coding RNAs in cutaneous biology and proliferative skin diseases: Advances and perspectives

Advances in transcriptome sequencing have revealed that the genome fraction largely encodes for thousands of non-coding RNAs. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are a class of non-protein-coding RNAs longer than approximately 200 nucleotides in length, are emerging as key epigenetic regulators of gene expression recently. Intensive studies have characterized their crucial roles in cutaneous biology and diseases. In this review, we address the promotive or suppressive effects of lncRNAs on cutaneous physiological processes. Then, we focus on the pathogenic role of dysfunctional lncRNAs in a variety of proliferative skin diseases. These evidences suggest that lncRNAs have indispensable roles in the processes of skin biology. Additionally, lncRNAs might be promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cutaneous disorders.