Circular RNA in osteoarthritis: an updated insight into the pathophysiology and therapeutics

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease that mainly results in chronic pain, stiffness and dysfunction in elderly individuals. The molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of OA are still unclear, and available treatments are unable to slowdown the development of OA or reverse the tissue damage. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel type of non-coding RNA, are ubiquitous, stable, evolutionally conserved, tissue-specific and functional. An increasing number of studies have revealed that many circRNAs are differentially expressed in OA-affected joint tissues and engage in the pathogenesis of OA by functioning as miRNA sponges. In this review, we briefly introduce the biogenesis, characteristics and functions of circRNAs, and shed light on the important role of circRNAs in the occurrence and progression of OA and their potential diagnostic and therapeutic value in this disease based on the research over the last five years.