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Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
Published on: November 14, 2019
Circular RNAs in stem cells: from basic research to clinical implications
Hui-Juan Lu1,2,3, Juan Li4, Guodong Yang5
1The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, China.
Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a special class of endogenous RNAs with a wide variety of pathophysiological functions via diverse mechanisms, including transcription, microRNA (miRNA) sponge, protein sponge/decoy, and translation. Stem cells are pluripotent cells with unique properties of self-renewal and differentiation. Dysregulated circRNAs identified in various stem cell types can affect stem cell self-renewal and differentiation potential by manipulating stemness. However, the emerging roles of circRNAs in stem cells remain largely unknown. This review summarizes the major functions and mechanisms of action of circRNAs in stem cell biology and disease progression. We also highlight circRNA-mediated common pathways in diverse stem cell types and discuss their diagnostic significance with respect to stem cell-based therapy.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. This review explores circRNA functions, mechanisms, and diagnostic potential in stem cell biology and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are regulatory molecules with diverse functions.
- Stem cells possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities crucial for development and therapy.
- The role of circRNAs in stem cell regulation is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in stem cell biology.
- To explore circRNA involvement in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.
- To discuss the diagnostic significance of circRNAs in stem cell-based therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on circRNAs and stem cells.
- Analysis of circRNA regulatory mechanisms (e.g., miRNA sponge, protein decoy).
- Synthesis of findings on circRNA roles in stemness and disease progression.
Main Results:
- CircRNAs influence stem cell properties through various molecular mechanisms.
- Dysregulated circRNAs impact stem cell self-renewal and differentiation potential.
- Common circRNA-mediated pathways are identified across different stem cell types.
Conclusions:
- CircRNAs play critical roles in stem cell biology and disease.
- Understanding circRNA functions is key to advancing stem cell-based therapies.
- CircRNAs hold diagnostic potential for stem cell applications.
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