Emerging Role of Circular RNAs in Kidney Diseases in Nephrology

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified to be involved in a variety of human diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune diseases. In recent years, the role of circRNAs in the development of kidney diseases in nephrology has been gradually recognized. Objective: We updated and described the current status of circRNAs in kidney diseases in nephrology. We particularly focused on the roles and mechanisms of circRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Methods: We summarized recent reports published on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo databases using keywords circRNAs, kidney diseases or renal diseases, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Results: Studies of circRNAs in certain kidney diseases, such as acute kidney injury, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, idiopathic membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive renal damage, and particular lupus nephritis address the function and pathogenesis of circRNAs. Mechanisms of circRNAs in the above human kidney diseases so far have focused on the role of sponging microRNAs and regulating the expression of target genes. Moreover, circRNAs have been detected in blood, urine, and kidney tissue samples. These results suggest that circRNAs can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of kidney diseases. Conclusion: CircRNAs play important roles in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney diseases emphasizing lupus nephritis in nephrology.