The essential roles of small non-coding RNAs and RNA modifications in normal and malignant hematopoiesis

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) developing from mesoderm during embryogenesis are important for the blood circulatory system and immune system. Many factors such as genetic factors, chemical exposure, physical radiation, and viral infection, can lead to the dysfunction of HSCs. Hematological malignancies (involving leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma) were diagnosed in more than 1.3 million people globally in 2021, taking up 7% of total newly-diagnosed cancer patients. Although many treatments like chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, and stem cell transplantation have been applied in clinical therapeutics, the average 5-year survival rate for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma is about 65%, 72%, and 54% respectively. Small non-coding RNAs play key roles in a variety of biological processes, including cell division and proliferation, immunological response and cell death. With the development of technologies in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, there is emerging research about modifications on small non-coding RNAs, as well as their functions in hematopoiesis and related diseases. In this study, we summarize the updated information of small non-coding RNAs and RNA modifications in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, which sheds lights into the future application of HSCs into the treatment of blood diseases.