Table 1. . Differentially expressed genes, their encoded protein’s functions and associated interacting long non-coding RNAs.

Gene name	Protein function	lncRNA interactor	Interaction Type	Ref.
ADAR	ADAR works as a regulator in RIG-I/MDA5 mediated induction of IFN-α/β pathways and controls innate immune response against dsRNA in the cell. It exerts an antiviral effect on HCV, but works in favor of VSV, MV, HDV and type 1 HIV-1.	KCNQ1OT1 GAS6-AS1 MEG3 INHBA-AS1	Protein–RNA	[46–54]
EDN1	Endothelin-1 is an endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide that belongs to the endothelin/sarafotoxin family. The peptide works as a potent vasoconstrictor and its cognate receptors are therapeutic targets in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is involved in downstream GPCR-controlled signaling.	UGDH-AS1	RNA–RNA	[55,56]
KYNU	KYNU gene encodes Kynureninase enzyme, which catalyzes the cleavage of L-kynurenine and L-3-hydroxykynurenine into anthranilic acid and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, respectively. Among its functional pathways are NAD metabolism and tryptophan utilization.	FAM230J	RNA–RNA	[57,58]
MALL	MALL gene encodes an element of the machinery for raft-mediated trafficking in endothelial cells. The encoded protein, a member of the MAL proteolipid family, predominantly localizes in glycolipid- and cholesterol-enriched membrane (GEM) rafts. It interacts with caveolin-1 and is involved in cholesterol homeostasis.	AC006058.1	RNA–RNA	[59,60]
TLR2	TLR2 encodes the toll-like receptor 2 protein, a fundamental protein in the pathways involved with pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. A cell-surface protein that can form heterodimers with other TLR family members, it can recognize conserved molecules derived from microorganisms known as PAMPs. Activation of TLRs by PAMPs switches on signaling pathways that modulate the host’s inflammatory response. TLR2 acts via MYD88 and TRAF6, leading to NF-κB activation, cytokine secretion and inflammatory response. This gene may also promote apoptosis in response to bacterial lipoproteins.	KCNQ1OT1	RNA–RNA	[61–65]
YWHAG	YWHAG encodes the 14-3-3 protein gamma, an adapter protein implicated in the regulation of a large spectrum of both general and specialized signaling pathways. It is induced by growth factors in human vascular smooth muscle cells, and is also highly expressed in skeletal and heart muscles, suggesting an important role for this protein in muscle tissue. Among its interactors are RAF1 and PKC, which link it to various signal transduction pathways. The protein is involved in apoptosis and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. YWHAG was identified as a direct target of miR-181b-3p, a metastasis activator which downregulated YWHAG to promote Snail-induced EMT in breast cancer cells. MiR-182 was found to suppress esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis via regulating YWHAG	KCNQ1OT1 SNHG8 GAS6-AS1	Protein–RNA	[66–73]

EMT: Epithelial-mesenchimal transformation; HDV: Hepatitis delta virus; MV: Measles virus; GPCR: G protein-coupled receptors; PAMP: Pathogen-associated molecular pattern; TLR: Toll like receptor; VSV: Vesicular stomatitis virus.