Angiogenic circular RNAs: A new landscape in cardiovascular diseases

Angiogenesis refers to the formation of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels, including endothelial progenitor cells differentiation and cytokine regulation. Circular RNAs, a type of non-coding RNA, are a stable and conservative endogenous transcriptional product with a circular structure that is produced by the reverse and scrambled splicing of mRNA precursors. They can be used as microRNA sponges, are involved in transcription and protein translation, and regulate the pathophysiological processes of various diseases. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs can regulate angiogenesis by regulating vascular endothelial cell function. In this review, we summarize the angiogenic mechanism; the biogenesis, properties and biological function of circRNAs; and their roles in regulating angiogenesis. We also discuss their potential implications for clinical applications.