The role of the circular RNAs in multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmune disorders

Abstract

In recent years non-coding RNAs have received increasing attention as an important epigenetic mechanism, with particular role of micro RNAs. As the regulation of miRNA expression is highly dynamic and complex, growing evidence suggests the existence of another higher level of regulatory mechanism involved in miRNA activity – circular RNAs (circRNAs). circRNAs represent novel, unique class of endogenous ncRNAs controlling the expression and function of miRNA. They are called natural miRNA “sponges”. Accumulating evidence reveals circRNAs role in physiological and pathological processes including CNS and immune regulation. Previous studies implicated miRNAs in regulation of autoimmune demyelination in MS. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. While the etiology of MS is still not fully understood, accumulating evidence suggests that it is a multifactorial entity with significant involvement of autoimmune processes.