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Updated: May 9, 2025

In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: October 21, 2022
Circular RNAs modulate cell death in cardiovascular diseases
Runfang Pan1, Chinying Koo1, Wenyuan Su2
1Department of Anatomy, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators of programmed cell death (PCD) in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Targeting circRNAs offers promising therapeutic strategies for treating CVDs by modulating cell death pathways.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health burden.
- Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, including apoptosis and necroptosis, are critical in CVD progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in regulating PCD mechanisms within the context of CVDs.
- To highlight the potential of circRNAs as therapeutic targets for CVD treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on circRNA regulation of PCD.
- Analysis of circRNA mechanisms, including miRNA sponging, protein interactions, and translation.
- Examination of therapeutic strategies involving circRNA manipulation (inhibition/overexpression).
Main Results:
- CircRNAs are increasingly recognized as crucial regulators of gene expression impacting PCD.
- Apoptosis is the most studied PCD mechanism regulated by circRNAs, with growing interest in pyroptosis and necroptosis.
- CircRNAs exert regulatory functions through diverse molecular mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- CircRNAs play a significant role in modulating PCD in CVDs.
- Targeting circRNAs presents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions in cardiovascular medicine.
- Further research into circRNA-mediated pathways is essential for understanding CVD pathophysiology.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a global health challenge, with programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms like apoptosis and necroptosis playing key roles in the progression. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently been recognized as crucial regulators of gene expression, especially in modulating PCD. In current researches, circRNA regulation of apoptosis is the most studied area, followed by autophagy and ferroptosis. Notably, the regulatory role of circRNAs in pyroptosis and necroptosis has also begun to attract attention. From a mechanistic perspective, circRNAs influence cellular processes through several modes of action, including miRNA sponging, protein interactions, and polypeptide translation. Manipulating circRNAs and their downstream targets through inhibition or overexpression offers versatile therapeutic options for CVD treatment. Continued investigation into circRNA-mediated mechanisms may enhance our understanding of CVD pathophysiology and underscore their potential as novel and promising therapeutic targets.
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