Circular RNAs in stem cells: from basic research to clinical implications.

Hui-Juan Lu,Juan Li,Cun-Jian Yi,Fenggang Yu,Guodong Yang,Zhaowu Ma,Daping Zhang

doi:10.1042/bsr20212510

Hui-Juan Lu, Juan Li + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1042/bsr20212510

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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.

Highlights

Non-coding RNAs, a class of endogenous RNAs, generally lack protein-coding potential [1]
This study demonstrated that circHIPK2/Smox/TUJ1 axis regulated neural stem cell (NSC) neuronal plasticity against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) and silencing of circHIPK2 facilitated NSCs directionally differentiated to neurons [52]
We summarized some putative circular RNA (circRNA) in different stem cells, including embryonic stem cell (ESC), iPS cells (iPSCs), adult stem cell (ASC), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), and cancer stem cell (CSC)

Summary

Introduction

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), a class of endogenous RNAs, generally lack protein-coding potential [1]. The expression of CDR1as was significantly low in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs, characterized as MSCs), which facilitated LPS-induced proliferative inhibition of PDLSCs. Mechanistically, CDR1as/ciRS-7 sequesters miR-7 to modulate the suppression effect of LPS on cell proliferation via activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal pathway [21].

Results

Conclusion