Long non-coding RNAs: potential molecular biomarkers for gliomas diagnosis and prognosis.

The current grade classification system of gliomas is based on the histopathological features of these tumors and has great significance in defining groups of patients for clinical assessment. However, this classification system is also associated with a number of limitations, and as such, additional clinical assessment criteria are required. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in cellular functions and are currently regarded as potential biomarkers for glioma diagnosis and prognosis.

Regulation of neuronal-glial fate specification by long non-coding RNAs.

Neural stem cell transplantation is becoming a promising and attractive cell-based treatment modality for repairing the damaged central nervous system. One of the limitations of this approach is that the proportion of functional cells differentiated from stem cells still remains at a low level. In recent years, novel long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are being discovered at a growing pace, suggesting that this class of molecules may act as novel regulators in neuronal-glial fate specification.