Circular RNA 0000157 depletion protects human bronchial epithelioid cells from cigarette smoke extract-induced human bronchial epithelioid cell injury through the microRNA-149-5p/bromodomain containing 4 pathway

Role of circRMRP and circRPL27 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and circRNA dysregulation is functionally associated with COPD. This study explored the potential of circRMRP and circRPL27 as biomarkers of COPD. Blood samples from COPD patients and healthy controls were collected. COPD patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups according to lung function. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technology was used to determine the expression of circRPL27 and circRMRP in COPD. Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to explore the value of circRMRP and circRPL27 in diagnosing COPD. circRMRP and circRPL27 levels were elevated in serum of COPD patients and increased with the severity of COPD. CircRMRP and circRPL27 were associated with smoking history, WBC, and FEV1/FVC, and were positively correlated with smoking history and WBC, and negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC. In COPD, both circRMRP and circRPL27 had diagnostic values, but circRPL27 was better. circRMRP and circRPL27 may be useful non-invasive biomarkers for COPD diagnosis.

CircRNA: a rising therapeutic strategy for lung injury induced by pulmonary toxicants

Lung injury has been a serious medical problem that requires new therapeutic approaches and biomarkers. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that exist widely in eukaryotes. CircRNAs are single-stranded RNAs that form covalently closed loops. CircRNAs are significant gene regulators that have a role in the development, progression, and therapy of lung injury by controlling transcription, translating into protein, and sponging microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins. Although the study of circRNAs in lung injury caused by pulmonary toxicants is just beginning, several studies have revealed their expression patterns. The function that circRNAs perform in relation to pulmonary toxicants (severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), drug abuse, PM2.5, and cigarette smoke) is the main topic of this review. A variety of circRNAs can serve as potential biomarkers of lung injury. In this review, the biogenesis, properties, and biological functions of circRNAs were concluded, and the relationship between circRNAs and pulmonary toxicants was discussed. It is expected that the new ideas and potential treatment targets that circRNAs provide would be beneficial to research into the molecular mechanisms behind lung injury.