The emerging roles of circular RNAs in regulating the fate of stem cells

CircRNA Chordc1 protects mice from abdominal aortic aneurysm by contributing to the phenotype and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells

“…These effects significantly reduced the rate of aortic aneurysm formation and the risk of aortic aneurysm rupture. Given the potential influence of circRNAs on cell behavior and vascular diseases, 25 , 26 this study further confirmed the critical role of circChordc1 in regulating the phenotype and growth of VSMCs and aneurysms. Recently, noncoding RNAs (mainly microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs) have been shown to exert an important effect on VSMC behavior and to serve as key regulators of the development and progression of aortic aneurysms, 27 but their unstable structure, poor conversation, and uncertain potency in vertebrates have been challenges plaguing their utilization.…”

Effects of long-term culture on the biological characteristics and RNA profiles of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

“…17,18 Recently, multiple studies have demonstrated that these ncRNAs are important epigenetic regulators and are widely involved in growth, immune system homeostasis, proliferation, and differentiation and development by controlling the fate of cells, including MSCs. [19][20][21] Large intergenic nc RNAp21 (lincR-NAp21) was reported to play a role in MSC senescence by interacting with the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway to attenuate oxidative stress. 22 However, more lncRNAs and circRNAs involved in MSC aging need to be identified/characterized.…”

Circular RNAs in stem cells: from basic research to clinical implications

“…circRNAs are among many regulatory factors that affect the biological functions of stem cells. Numerous studies have revealed that circRNAs may participate in mediating the proliferation and differentiation of different types of stem cells and retrieving stemness [18,38]. However, current knowledge regarding the regulatory effects of circRNAs on stem cells at multiple levels, is still largely unknown [42].…”

“…Despite this, recent studies have demonstrated that circRNAs contribute to the self-renewal of stem cells as well as differentiation. Considering this concept, it is essential to determine how circRNAs influence the distinct types of stem cells, including MSCs and ESCs [18]. Current studies uncovered that circRNAs may play multiple roles in various types of stem cell (Table 1).…”

“…Previous reviews have also summarized that circRNAs orchestrate the state and fate of stem cells, including different propensities for lineage selection upon differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis [15,17,18]. However, to date, the functions and clinical applications of circRNAs in stem cells have not been systematically elucidated.…”