Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is a double-stranded DNA molecule found in various organisms, including humans. In the past few decades, the research on eccDNA has mainly focused on cancers and their associated diseases. Advancements in modern omics technologies have reinvigorated research on eccDNA and shed light on the role of these molecules in a range of diseases and normal cell phenotypes. In this review, we first summarize the formation of eccDNA and its modes of action in eukaryotic cells. We then outline eccDNA as a disease biomarker and reveal its regulatory mechanism. We finally discuss the future prospects of eccDNA, including basic research and clinical application. Thus, with the deepening of understanding and exploration of eccDNAs, they hold great promise in future biomedical research and clinical translational application.
To the Editor: Myocardial fibrosis is a common pathological process of heart failure (HF). The methods for non-invasive diagnosis of myocardial fibrosis are finite. Currently, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) that serves as the gold standard for determining fibrotic lesions is able to offer high spatial resolution and validate myocardial fibrosis. However, the extracellular volume fraction measured with CMR can even increase in other pathologies such as inflammatory edema or protein deposition; thus, a new complementary imaging modality to detect cardiac fibrosis is necessary.
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