Overview of CircRNAs Roles and Mechanisms in Liver Fibrosis

Liver fibrosis represents the reversible pathological process with the feature of the over-accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins within the liver, which results in the deposition of fibrotic tissues and liver dysfunction. Circular noncoding RNAs (CircRNAs) have the characteristic closed loop structures, which show high resistance to exonuclease RNase, making them far more stable and recalcitrant against degradation. CircRNAs increase target gene levels by playing the role of a microRNA (miRNA) sponge. Further, they combine with proteins or play the role of RNA scaffolds or translate proteins to modulate different biological processes. Recent studies have indicated that CircRNAs play an important role in the occurrence and progression of liver fibrosis and may be the potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for liver fibrosis. This review summarizes the CircRNAs roles and explores their underlying mechanisms, with a special focus on some of the latest research into key CircRNAs related to regulating liver fibrosis. Results in this work may inspire fruitful research directions and applications of CircRNAs in the management of liver fibrosis. Additionally, our findings lay a critical theoretical foundation for applying CircRNAs in diagnosing and treating liver fibrosis.

Automated summary

Liver fibrosis is a reversible pathological process characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins within the liver, leading to the deposition of fibrotic tissues and liver dysfunction. Circular noncoding RNAs (CircRNAs) have stable closed loop structures and can increase target gene levels by acting as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. Recent studies suggest that CircRNAs play a crucial role in liver fibrosis and may serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. This review summarizes the roles of CircRNAs and explores their underlying mechanisms, focusing on the latest research on key CircRNAs involved in regulating liver fibrosis. The findings provide valuable insights for future research and applications of CircRNAs in managing liver fibrosis, laying the groundwork for their use in diagnosis and treatment.