New insights on circular RNAs and their potential applications as biomarkers, therapeutic agents, and preventive vaccines in viral infections: with a glance at SARS-CoV-2
Nasim Rahmani-Kukia, Ardeshir Abbasi
Abstract
. CircRNAs have the potential to contribute in several cellular processes in a way that some serve as microRNA sponges, cellular transporters, protein-binding RNAs, transcriptional regulators, and immune system modulators. CircRNAs can even play an important role in modulating antiviral immune responses. In the present review, circRNAs' biogenesis, function, and biomarker and therapeutic potential as well as their prospective applications as vaccines against viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 are explained. By considering their unique properties, their potential to be used as novel vaccines, biomarkers, and a therapeutic approach appears possible.
Topics & Concepts
Competing endogenous RNABiologymicroRNAComputational biologyGene silencingBiogenesisRNARNA interferenceImmune systemLong non-coding RNABioinformaticsGeneGeneticsCircular RNAs in diseasesMicroRNA in disease regulationCancer-related molecular mechanisms research