CircRNAs, as new members of long noncoding RNAs, have been the focus of recent investigation. CircRNAs feature a closed continuous loop structure without 5′-3′ polarity or a poly A tail. Many studies have reported the potential application of circRNAs in the clinic as new biomarkers and therapeutic targets in different diseases, especially for cancer. Additionally, the exosomes are important vehicles in cell-to-cell communication. And exo-circRNAs are circRNAs in exosomes which can be detected to provide additional evidence for conventional diagnostic methods and can be applied to suppress the malignant progress in cancer. In this review, we describe the biogenesis, characteristics, and functions of circRNAs and exosomes. Specifically, we present a comprehensive update of the promising role of exo-circRNAs in anticancer therapy.

No abstract

The tissue-resident skeletal stem cells (SSCs), which are self-renewal and multipotent, continuously provide cells (including chondrocytes, bone cells, marrow adipocytes, and stromal cells) for the development and homeostasis of the skeletal system. In recent decade, utilizing fluorescence-activated cell sorting, lineage tracing, and single-cell sequencing, studies have identified various types of SSCs, plotted the lineage commitment trajectory, and partially revealed their properties under physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we retrospect to SSCs identification and functional studies. We discuss the principles and approaches to identify bona fide SSCs, highlighting pioneering findings that plot the lineage atlas of SSCs. The roles of SSCs and progenitors in long bone, craniofacial tissues, and periosteum are systematically discussed. We further focus on disputes and challenges in SSC research.

No abstract