Title:Emerging Role of Circular RNAs in Kidney Diseases in Nephrology
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Author(s): Cong Ma, Junjun Luan, Jeffrey B. Kopp and Hua Zhou*
Affiliation:
- Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
Keywords:
circRNAs, lupus nephritis, biomarker, sponging, systemic lupus erythematosus, kidney diseases in nephrology, microRNAs.
Abstract: Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified to be involved in a variety
of human diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune diseases. In recent
years, the role of circRNAs in the development of kidney diseases in nephrology has been gradually
recognized.
Objective: We updated and described the current status of circRNAs in kidney diseases in nephrology.
We particularly focused on the roles and mechanisms of circRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus
and lupus nephritis.
Methods: We summarized recent reports published on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo
databases using keywords circRNAs, kidney diseases or renal diseases, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Results: Studies of circRNAs in certain kidney diseases, such as acute kidney injury, focal segmental
glomerulosclerosis, idiopathic membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy,
hypertensive renal damage, and particular lupus nephritis address the function and pathogenesis
of circRNAs. Mechanisms of circRNAs in the above human kidney diseases so far have focused
on the role of sponging microRNAs and regulating the expression of target genes. Moreover,
circRNAs have been detected in blood, urine, and kidney tissue samples. These results suggest that
circRNAs can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of kidney
diseases.
Conclusion: CircRNAs play important roles in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney
diseases emphasizing lupus nephritis in nephrology.