Unraveling R-loops: The hidden drivers of inflammation and immune dysregulation.

An R-loop is a complex nucleic acid structure consisting of an RNA-DNA hybrid and an associated single-stranded DNA. This structure plays an important role in many biological processes, including gene regulation, DNA replication, and maintenance of genome stability. Under physiological conditions, the R-loop is in a dynamic balance of generation and decomposition, which is a complex process involving multiple mechanisms of its formation, clearance, and regulation. Emerging evidence indicates that R-loops can drive inflammation and participate in immune processes. This review summarizes immune dysregulation resulting from impaired R-loop clearance and analyzes recent advances in computational methods for R-loop regulation, aiming to identify new avenues for developing R-loop-targeted immunotherapies.