RNA Regulatory Networks in Cellular Identity, Plasticity, and Disease

RNA molecules are central architects of cellular behavior, shaping how cells acquire, maintain, and remodel their identities across development, homeostasis, regeneration, and disease. Beyond their classical roles in gene expression, coding and non-coding RNAs participate in multilayered regulatory networks involving transcriptional control, RNA processing, localization, translation, degradation, and feedback signaling. These RNA-centered systems are now understood to be critical for cellular plasticity, enabling rapid adaptation to stress, environmental change, lineage transitions, and pathological transformation.This Research Topic will explore how RNA regulatory networks govern cell fate decisions and biological resilience across physiological and disease contexts. It aims to bring together work spanning RNA-binding proteins, microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, RNA modifications, and RNA decay pathways, with strong links to stem cell biology, developmental biology, oncology, immunology, and regenerative medicine. Of particular interest are studies revealing how RNA networks integrate with chromatin state, signaling pathways, and metabolic programs to produce stable or reversible cellular states.By focusing on RNA as both an information carrier and dynamic regulatory layer, this topic can capture emerging insights into reprogramming, dedifferentiation, therapy resistance, and disease progression. It is especially timely as single-cell and spatial technologies now allow RNA networks to be mapped with unprecedented resolution in complex tissues and evolving disease systems.Areas of interest include:- RNA networks controlling stemness, differentiation, and lineage commitment- Post-transcriptional regulation of cellular plasticity in development and regeneration- Non-coding RNAs in cancer evolution, metastasis, and therapy resistance- RNA-binding proteins as regulators of cell state transitions- RNA turnover, stability, and decay in tissue homeostasis and disease- Crosstalk between RNA regulation, chromatin architecture, and epigenetic memory- RNA-mediated responses to stress, inflammation, and environmental perturbation- Single-cell and spatial dissection of RNA regulatory circuits- Computational modeling of RNA networks driving phenotypic heterogeneity- RNA-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies targeting cell state control- RNA–RNA interaction networks controlling cellular identity and plasticity- Structural and functional RNA interactomes in development and disease- Methods to decode RNA-centered regulatory circuits- RNA-RNA interactions for therapeutic application Topic editors: Yanqiang Li, Yini Li Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81506/rna-regulatory-networks-in-cellular-identity-plasticity-and-disease