Computational identification of candidate human long noncoding RNAs associated with PBMC responses to Candida auris and its cell wall components

Over 100 novel long noncoding RNAs respond specifically to Candida auris and its cell wall components in human PBMCs, especially after 24 hours of exposure.

• Why it matters: Understanding lncRNAs' roles in immune responses to multidrug-resistant fungi like C. auris is crucial, as their functions remain largely unexplored, hindering potential therapeutic advances.
• What they did: Researchers reanalyzed RNA-sequencing data from PBMCs exposed to C. auris, mannan, and β-glucan, identifying 607 novel polyadenylated lncRNA loci, with 102 showing differential responses, particularly at 24 hours.
• The result: The study highlights stimulus-specific, late-stage lncRNA responses linked to innate immunity and identifies candidate cis-regulatory pairs, paving the way for targeted experimental validation and immune response modulation.