LncRNA NEAT1 in skin disorders: Pathophysiological insights and emerging therapeutic strategies

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) is a critical component of nuclear paraspeckles, influencing gene expression through epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional mechanisms. The dysregulated expression and function of NEAT1 are associated with diverse human disorders ranging from inflammatory diseases to cancers. However, the emerging pathophysiological roles and therapeutic strategies of NEAT1 in skin disorders have not yet been thoroughly reviewed and discussed. This review offers a comprehensive perspective and discusses the recent therapy progress on NEAT1 in skin disorders, mainly, including skin cancers and immune-related conditions. NEAT1 is always upregulated in various skin disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), atopic dermatitis (AD), and melanoma, which primarily functions as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) via targeting microRNA and regulates multiple immune cells to exert pathogenic effects. Notably, the expression levels of NEAT1 in psoriasis studies present contrary results, with some studies showing increased expression and others indicating downregulation, making its role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis appear complex, and its specific regulation of different cells requires further research. Moreover, technologies focusing on NEAT1 inhibition with upstream element regulation and direct silencing, and NEAT1 overexpression based on drug induction and exogenous introduction, are growing vigorously. In conclusion, this review provides significant insights into potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of NEAT1 for these disorders.