Identification of circSlc7a11, a Novel circRNA that Functions as a Negative Regulator of Host Immune Defense Against Pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Abstract Effective immune activation is essential for host defense against pathogenic microorganism infection. However, excessive or uncontrolled immune activation can cause tissue damage. Negative regulatory factors and immune homeostasis regulatory molecules play important roles in immune activation. CircRNAs are known to be involved in a variety of pathological and physiological processes, but their role in the regulation of host immune activation remains unclear. In this study, we identified a novel circRNA, circSlc7a11, in the lung using a Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infection model. circSlc7a11 functions as a negative regulator that prevents excessive immune activation in the host response to bacterial infection by regulating the IL-1β signaling axis through PUF60 in macrophages.