Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a newly discovered class of regulatory 
molecules that impact a variety of biological processes in cells and organ 
systems. In humans, it is estimated that there may be more than twice as many 
lncRNA genes than protein-coding genes. However, only a handful of lncRNAs have 
been analyzed in detail. In this review, we describe expression and functions of 
lncRNAs that have been demonstrated to impact innate and adaptive immunity. 
These emerging paradigms illustrate remarkably diverse mechanisms that lncRNAs 
utilize to impact the transcriptional programs of immune cells required to fight 
against pathogens and maintain normal health and homeostasis.