The kidney is vital in maintaining fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Kidney-related diseases, which are an increasing public health issue, can happen to people of any age and at any time. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous RNA that are produced by selective RNA splicing and are involved in progression of various diseases. Studies have shown that various kidney diseases, including renal cell carcinoma, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease, are linked to circRNAs. This review outlines the characteristics and biological functions of circRNAs and discusses specific studies that provide insights into the function and potential of circRNAs for application in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney-related diseases.
Keywords: EMT; acute kidney injury; chronic kidney diseases; circRNAs; renal cell carcinoma.
Copyright © 2021 Chen, Li, Zhao, Li, Hou, Chu, Zheng and Bai.