Advancements in our understanding of circular and long non-coding RNAs in spinal cord injury

Neural Regeneration Research, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.335835 · Published: April 1, 2022

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to significant disability and reduced quality of life. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind SCI is crucial for developing potential therapies. Non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play a role in regulating cellular processes after SCI. This review discusses how changes in their expression may affect SCI progression. LncRNAs and circRNAs could be novel targets for treating SCI, and this review examines their potential in modulating the pathogenesis of SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Animal models (rats)

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Numerous lncRNAs and circRNAs are found in the spinal cord after SCI, suggesting that their expression levels change in response to SCI.
2
LncRNAs are associated with neuronal survival after SCI, with PTENP1 promoting neuronal apoptosis by suppressing miR-21 and miR-19b expression.
3
Circ-HIPK3 alleviates neuronal apoptosis by modulating the miR-588/DPYSL5 axis in SCI, while circTYW1 promotes neurological recovery by upregulating FGF9.

Research Summary

This review describes the changes in lncRNA and circRNA expression that occur after SCI and how these changes may be related to SCI progression. Current evidence for the roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs in neuronal cell death and glial cell activation will also be reviewed. The possibility that lncRNAs and circRNAs are novel modulators of SCI pathogenesis will be discussed.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Targets

LncRNAs and circRNAs may serve as promising biomarkers for SCI diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Understanding SCI Mechanisms

Further studies exploring the detailed molecular mechanisms and regulatory roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs may bring us closer to developing promising therapies for SCI.

Delivery Systems

An effective delivery system is needed to deliver these RNA species to the desired cellular and molecular targets.

Study Limitations

1
The aforementioned research results are mainly based on animal and cellular models of SCI.
2
The regulatory roles of lncRNAs have not been thoroughly investigated, although dysregulation of lncRNAs has been noted after SCI.
3
The role of circRNAs in regulating SCI pathophysiology is still largely unknown.

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