Circular RNAs: Potential Star Molecules Involved in Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: To summarize the research status on the function and mechanism of circRNAs in regulating the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase.com, and ARVO Abstracts website and reviewed relevant studies. Results: Thousands of circRNAs were found to be aberrantly expressed in DR patients, animal models, or cell models. A few circRNAs, such as cPWWP2A, circDNMT3B, circHIPK3, circ_0005015, et al were demonstrated to play an important role in DR by regulating the angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory response of various cells in the retina. Conclusion: CircRNAs are involved in the development of DR. CircRNAs can not only serve as DR biomarkers, but also become therapeutic targets for DR. The role of plenty of circRNAs in DR is yet to be discovered.