The Role of Circular RNAs in Brain Injury

Neuroscience. 2020 Jan 21:428:50-59. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.12.018. Epub 2020 Jan 7.

Abstract

Circular RNAs are an increasingly important topic in non-coding RNA biology, drawing considerable attention in recent years. Accumulating evidence suggests a critical role for circular RNAs in both early and latent stages of disease pathogenesis. Circular RNAs are abundantly expressed in brain tissue, with significant implications for neural development and disease progression. Disruption of these processes, including those seen in response to brain injury, can have serious consequences such as hemiplegia, aphasia, coma, and death. In this review, we describe the role of circular RNAs in the context of brain injury and explore the potential connection between circular RNAs, brain hypoxic ischemic injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and traumatic injury.

Keywords: brain injury; circular RNAs; hypoxic ischemic injury; ischemia–reperfusion injury; traumatic brain injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Injuries / genetics
  • Brain Injuries / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / genetics
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • RNA, Circular / blood*
  • Reperfusion Injury / genetics*
  • Reperfusion Injury / pathology

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Circular