Open AccessCircular RNAs in the pathogenesis of sepsis and their clinical implications: A narrative review
Author(s) -
Wei Lin,
Yongpeng Yang,
Weikai Wang,
Ruifeng Xu
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
annals, academy of medicine, singapore/annals of the academy of medicine, singapore
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.299
H-Index - 60
ISSN - 0304-4602
DOI - 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2021405
Subject(s) - sepsis , medicine , septic shock , pathogenesis , organ dysfunction , immunosuppression , immunology , biomarker , intensive care medicine , bioinformatics , biology , genetics
Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening complication that occurs when the body responds toan infection attacking the host. Sepsis rapidly progresses and patients deteriorate and develop septic shock,with multiple organ failure, if not promptly treated. Currently no effective therapy is available for sepsis;therefore, early diagnosis is crucial to decrease the high mortality rate. Genome-wide expression analysesof patients in critical conditions have confirmed that the expression levels of the majority of genes arechanged, suggesting that the molecular basis of sepsis is at the gene level. This review aims to elucidate therole of circular (circ) RNAs in the pathogenesis of sepsis and sepsis-induced organ damage. In addition,the feasibility of using circRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis is also discussed, as well ascircRNA-based therapy.Method: This narrative review is based on a literature search using Medline database. Search termsused were “circular RNAs and sepsis”, “circRNAs and sepsis”, “non-coding RNAs and sepsis”, “ncRNAsand sepsis”, “circRNAs and septic pathogenesis”, “circRNAs and septic model”, “circRNAs and septicshock” and “circRNAs, biomarker, and sepsis”.Results: Numerous studies indicate that circRNAs might exert pivotal roles in regulating the immunesystem of the host against various pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. Dysregulation of circRNAexpression levels has been confirmed as an early event in sepsis and associated with the inflammatoryresponse, immunosuppression and coagulation dysfunction. This impairment in regulation eventually leadsto multiple organ dysfunctions, including of the kidneys, lungs and heart.Conclusion: By investigating the regulation of circRNAs in sepsis, new molecular targets for thediagnosis and intervention of sepsis can be identified. Such an understanding will be important for thedevelopment of therapeutic drugs.Keywords: Acute kidney injury, biomarker, circRNAs, inflammation, sepsis