A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
RNA signaling in cellular plasticity during homeostasis and regeneration; 
Authors: Nagaraj, Ajai C.; Ahi, Ehsan P.; Änkö, Minna-Liisa; Kaslin, Jan
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Current Opinion in Genetics and Development
Article number: 102478
Volume: 99
ISSN: 0959-437X
eISSN: 1879-0380
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gde.2026.102478
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gde.2026.102478
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523468752
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Cells and tissues constantly read and broadcast information through RNA. This mini-review explores how endogenous and damage-released RNAs act as instructive signals that rewire cell identity during steady-state homeostasis and injury repair. We will cover how repetitive-element-derived RNAs and regulatory long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) tune stem and progenitor plasticity in hematopoietic, pluripotent, and muscle systems by coupling stress sensing to cell-fate decisions. We will also outline extracellular dsRNA/TLR3 signaling and injury-induced lncRNAs in epithelial, neural, cardiac, and vascular regeneration, and show how extracellular RNA shapes inflammatory and stromal responses. Together, these concepts present RNA as an active rheostat of cellular plasticity across development, tissue maintenance, and regeneration.
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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Victorian Government Operational Infrastructure Support Scheme [MLÄ], Biocenter Finland [to JK, MLÄ, AN, and EPA], National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) [GNT2013305, GNT2037953 to JK], Sigrid Juselius Foundation [to JK and MLÄ], Research Council of Finland [to JK and MLÄ], and Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant [DP210103501 to JK].
