Rapid Development of Targeting circRNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases

• Published in: Molecular therapy. Nucleic acids 2020-09, Vol.21, p.568-576
• Main Authors: Zhang, Chao, Huo, Si Tong, Wu, Zhiyong, Chen, Lina, Wen, Chang, Chen, Honghao, Du, William W., Wu, Nan, Guan, Daogang, Lian, Sen, Yang, Burton B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2162-2531; 2162-2531
• DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are circularized, single-stranded RNAs that are covalently linked. With their abundance in tissues and developmental stage-specific expression, circRNAs participate in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we discuss the development of circRNAs used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), focusing on recent discoveries and applications of exosomal circRNAs that highlight opportunities and challenges. Some studies have identified a spectrum of circRNAs that are differentially expressed in CVDs, while other studies further manipulated specific circRNA expression and showed an ameliorated pathogenic state such as ischemic injury, hypertrophy, and cardiac fibrosis. Studies and applications of circRNAs are being rapidly developed. We expect to see clinical use of circRNAs as biomarkers and targets for disease treatment in the near future. [Display omitted] Large numbers of differentially expressed circRNAs have been identified in pathogenic heart tissues and cells. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches are being developed to manipulate specific circRNA expression in order to modulate heart conditions. circRNAs may be used as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and may be targets for therapeutic strategies.