Circular RNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases: Regulation and Therapeutic Applications

Lijun Wang1,2, Gui-E Xu1,2, Michail Spanos3

  • 1Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Geriatrics (Shanghai University), Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong 226011, China.

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial in cardiovascular disease. This review covers their roles, detection, and therapeutic potential for heart conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major global health concern, contributing significantly to mortality.
  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs), generated by back-splicing, are increasingly recognized for their roles in various pathophysiological processes, including CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of circRNAs' regulatory functions in cardiovascular diseases.
  • To highlight advancements in circRNA identification, validation, synthesis, and analysis technologies.
  • To discuss the therapeutic applications and biomarker potential of circRNAs in CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on circRNAs in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Summary of emerging technologies for circRNA detection and manipulation.
  • Analysis of circRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • CircRNAs play significant regulatory roles in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases.
  • New technologies facilitate the identification, validation, and synthesis of circRNAs.
  • CircRNAs show promise as circulating biomarkers for CVD diagnosis and prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • CircRNAs represent a promising area for cardiovascular disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • Further research into circRNA synthesis and delivery systems is essential for therapeutic development.
  • The potential of circRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic agents in cardiovascular medicine is substantial.

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