Non-coding RNAs have remarkable roles in
acute lung injury (ALI) initiation. Nevertheless, the significance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ALI is still unknown. Herein, we purposed to identify potential key genes in ALI and create a
competitive endogenous RNA (
ceRNA) modulatory network to uncover possible molecular mechanisms that affect
lung injury. We generated a
lipopolysaccharide-triggered ALI mouse model, whose lung tissue was subjected to
RNA sequencing, and then we conducted bioinformatics analysis to select genes showing differential expression (DE) and to build a
lncRNA-
miRNA (
microRNA)-
mRNA (
messenger RNA) modulatory network. Besides, GO along with KEGG assessments were conducted to identify major biological processes and pathways, respectively, involved in ALI. Then, RT-qPCR assay was employed to verify levels of major RNAs. A
protein-
protein interaction (PPI) network was created using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database, and the hub genes were obtained with the Molecular Complex Detection plugin. Finally, a key
ceRNA subnetwork was built from major genes and their docking sites. Overall, a total of 8,610 lncRNAs were identified in the normal and LPS groups. Based on the 308 DE lncRNAs [p-value < 0.05, |log2 (fold change) | > 1] and 3,357 DE mRNAs [p-value < 0.05, |log2 (fold change) | > 1],
lncRNA-
miRNA and
miRNA-
mRNA pairs were predicted using miRanda. The
lncRNA-
miRNA-
mRNA network was created from 175 lncRNAs, 22
miRNAs, and 209 mRNAs in ALI. The RT-qPCR data keep in step with the
RNA sequencing data. GO along with KEGG analyses illustrated that DE mRNAs in this network were mainly bound up with the inflammatory response, developmental process, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the
NF-kappa B, PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, MAPK, Jak-STAT, and Notch signaling pathways. A PPI network on the basis of the 209 genes was established, and three hub genes (Nkx2-1, Tbx2, and Atf5) were obtained from the network. Additionally, a
lncRNA-
miRNA-hub gene subnetwork was built from 15 lncRNAs, 3
miRNAs, and 3 mRNAs. Herein, novel ideas are presented to expand our knowledge on the regulation mechanisms of
lncRNA-related ceRNAs in the pathogenesis of ALI.