Roles and Mechanism of Long Noncoding RNAs in Bone Diseases

Close coordination of transcriptional networks and signaling pathways is necessary for the normal function of bone tissue. In pathological bone and cartilage, a lot of these networks/pathways are dysregulated. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) belong to a kind of RNAs that lack protein-coding potential. LncRNAs are usually more than 200 nucleotides length and play multifarious roles in a wide range of biological functions. In recent decades, an enormous number of lncRNAs have been identified in multiple bone cells and bone diseases and considered to play critical roles. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge concerning lncRNAs in bone biology and disease, from their molecular mechanism, pathological implications, and therapeutic potential.