Greco Simona, Gaetano Carlo, Mazzaccaro Daniela, Martelli Fabio
Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.
Laboratory of Epigenetics, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy.
Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2025 Jun 3;27(1):60. doi: 10.1007/s11883-025-01306-x.
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a distinct class of long noncoding RNAs characterized by covalently closed-loop structures, have emerged as pivotal regulators of gene expression. Their stability, abundance, and cell-type specificity make them increasingly relevant in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis and clinical management. Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the arterial wall, underlies many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of circRNAs' influence on the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaques.
The role of circRNAs in atherogenesis, where they may function as atheroprotective or atherogenic factors by modulating endothelial and smooth muscle cell functions, macrophage activity, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory signaling, has recently emerged. This review explores both experimental and in vivo findings on the functions of specific circRNAs and their involvement in cellular autophagy, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and vascular remodeling. Additionally, the diagnostic potential of circulating circRNAs as biomarkers for plaque instability and rupture has been investigated. Understanding circRNA-mediated regulatory networks may open new avenues for precision diagnostics and targeted therapies in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
环状RNA（circRNAs）是一类独特的长链非编码RNA，其特征为共价闭合环状结构，已成为基因表达的关键调节因子。它们的稳定性、丰度和细胞类型特异性使其在心血管疾病发病机制和临床管理中愈发重要。动脉粥样硬化是一种动脉壁的慢性炎症性疾病，是许多心血管和脑血管事件（包括心肌梗死和中风）的基础。本综述全面分析了circRNAs对动脉粥样硬化斑块发生发展的影响。
circRNAs在动脉粥样硬化发生过程中的作用最近逐渐显现，它们可能通过调节内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞功能、巨噬细胞活性、脂质代谢和炎症信号传导，充当抗动脉粥样硬化或致动脉粥样硬化因子。本综述探讨了关于特定circRNAs功能的实验和体内研究结果，以及它们在细胞自噬、凋亡、氧化应激和血管重塑中的作用。此外，还研究了循环circRNAs作为斑块不稳定和破裂生物标志物的诊断潜力。了解circRNA介导的调控网络可能为动脉粥样硬化性心血管疾病的精准诊断和靶向治疗开辟新途径。
