Ifngas1, also known as NEST, is a long non-coding RNA. It can act as a molecular sponge, influencing various biological processes. It is associated with pathways like the miR-21a-3p/PI3K/AKT axis, and is involved in regulating immune responses, such as influencing IFN-γ secretion, and also plays a role in lymphocyte biology and T-lymphocyte function [1,2,6,8]. It is of importance in the context of diseases including autoimmune thyroid disease, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [3,5,7,4].

In the study of ASD, exosome lncRNA Ifngas1 derived from mesenchymal stem cells of human adipose was found to promote neurogenesis and ameliorate ASD-like behavior in BTBR mice. It acts as a molecular sponge for miR-21a-3p and promotes neurogenesis through the miR-21a-3p/PI3K/AKT axis [1]. In sepsis, lower transcript levels of Ifngas1 were observed in CD8 T cells exposed to sepsis, which was associated with reduced IFN-γ production and changes in the local chromatin landscape [9].

In conclusion, Ifngas1 is a significant lncRNA involved in immune-related and neuro-related biological functions. Model-based research, such as in ASD mouse models and sepsis-induced animal models, reveals its role in disease-related processes. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms of diseases like ASD and sepsis, potentially providing new insights for treatment strategies.