The Roles of Noncoding RNAs in Systemic Sclerosis

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) constitute more than 90% of the RNAs in the human genome. In the past decades, studies have changed our perception of ncRNAs from junk transcriptional products to functional regulatory molecules that mediate critical processes, including chromosomal modifications, mRNA splicing and stability, and translation, as well as key signaling pathways. Emerging evidence suggests that ncRNAs are abnormally expressed in not only cancer but also autoimmune diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), and may serve as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of SSc. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms of ncRNAs in SSc remain incompletely understood. In this review, we discuss the current findings on the biogenetic processes and functions of ncRNAs, including microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, as well as explore emerging ncRNAbased diagnostics and therapies for SSc.

Automated summary

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) make up more than 90% of the RNAs in the human genome. Recent studies have shown that ncRNAs are not just junk products, but play a role as functional regulatory molecules in important processes such as chromosomal modifications, mRNA splicing and stability, translation, and signaling pathways. Abnormal expression of ncRNAs has been observed in cancer and autoimmune diseases like systemic sclerosis (SSc), making them potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of SSc. However, our understanding of the functions and mechanisms of ncRNAs in SSc is still incomplete.