环状RNA与自身免疫性疾病

Pathogenesis of circular RNAs in autoimmune disease

环状RNA（circRNA）是形成共价闭合的RNA环的非编码RNA,circRNA的发现揭示了转录后基因表达调控的新的层面。目前对circRNA功能的认知虽然有限,但已发现的一些关于circRNA的信息已显示出其具有吸附微小RNA（miRNA）的海绵作用和调节基因表达的作用。目前报道得最清楚的是关于circRNA CDR1as可作为miR-7的海绵的研究。miRNA在自身免疫性疾病的发病及进程中起着重要的作用,而circRNA又可作为海绵吸附miRNA,具有基因表达调控的作用,因此circRNA与自身免疫性疾病密切相关并且可能成为自身免疫性疾病的潜在治疗靶点。未来的研究可深入探究circRNA和自身免疫性疾病之间的关系。本文对circRANs的识别和功能进行综述,并介绍circRNA与人类疾病之间的关联,探索circRNA在自身免疫性疾病的潜在作用。

Circular RNAs（ circRNA）,a kind of non-coding RNAs,are formed covalently closed RNA circles. circRNA revealed a new gene regulation mechanism after transcription. Despite the limited knowledge on functions of circRNA,some circRNAs could act as miRNA sponge and regulate gene transcription. The noteworthy case is that circRNA CDR1 as can serve as sponge of miR-7. miRNAs play a role in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. Thus,it is reasonable to hypothesize that circRNA may relate with autoimmune diseases. Therefore,it could be a potential therapeutic target for treatment of autoimmune diseases. Further studies will focus on the relationship between circRNA and autoimmune diseases. We reviewed here the biogenesis and function of circRNA,introduced the association of circRNA with human diseases,and postulated the potential roles of circRNA with autoimmune diseases.