Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with a unique ring structure and play important roles as gene regulators. Disturbed expressions of circRNAs is closely related to varieties of pathological processes. The roles of circRNAs in cancers have gained increasing concerns. The communications between the cancer cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) play complicated roles to affect the malignant behaviors of cancers, which potentially present new therapeutic targets. Herein, we reviewed the roles of circRNAs in the TME.
Highlights
CircRNAs are a class of highly abundant endogenous RNAs with a unique covalently closed, single-stranded, complete ring structure with no free 3′ or 5′ ends
Various circRNAs were identified in human cells, for a long time they were thought to be just junk byproducts of RNA splicing errors [1]
Study revealed that circRNAs transfected into HeLa cells stimulated innate immunity by enhancing the expression of specific genes which were highly related to response to cytokine, cytokine production, cellular response to virus, and NF-kB signaling [51]
Summary
CircRNAs are a class of highly abundant endogenous RNAs with a unique covalently closed, single-stranded, complete ring structure with no free 3′ or 5′ ends. CircRNAs regulate the T cell-mediated immune response, which is critical for tumor immunity. CircRNA circ-NT5C2 acted as an oncogene in tumor proliferation and metastasis by targeting miR-448 and subsequently decreased the immune response [46].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
