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Review
. 2023 Jan;20(1):847-858.
doi: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2272118. Epub 2023 Oct 26.

Regulatory circular RNAs in viral diseases: applications in diagnosis and therapy

Wei Wang  1 , Lei Sun  1 , Meng-Ting Huang  1   2 , Yun Quan  1 , Tao Jiang  3 , Zhichao Miao  1   4 , Qiong Zhang  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Regulatory circular RNAs in viral diseases: applications in diagnosis and therapy

Wei Wang et al. RNA Biol. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Circular RNA (circRNA) forms closed loops via back-splicing in precursor mRNA, resisting exonuclease degradation. In higher eukaryotes, protein-coding genes create circRNAs through exon back-splicing. Unlike mRNAs, circRNAs possess unique production and structural traits, bestowing distinct cellular functions and biomedical potential. In this review, we explore the pivotal roles of viral circRNAs and associated RNA in various biological processes. Analysing the interactions between viral circRNA and host cellular machinery yields fresh insights into antiviral immunity, catalysing the development of potential therapeutics. Furthermore, circRNAs serve as enduring biomarkers in viral diseases due to their stable translation within specific tissues. Additionally, a deeper understanding of translational circRNA could expedite the establishment of circRNA-based expression platforms, meeting the rising demand for broad-spectrum viral vaccines. We also highlight the applications of circular RNA in biomarker studies as well as circRNA-based therapeutics. Prospectively, we expect a technological revolution in combating viral infections using circRNA.

Keywords: Circular RNAs; back-splicing; diagnostic marker; immunogenicity; nucleic acid vaccine; translation.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
In vivo and in vitro generation of circRnas.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Perspectives of circRNA nanomedicine.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
circRNA translating processes.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Challenges of circRNA nanomedicine.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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