Circular Rnas in Tuberculosis: From Mechanism of Action to Potential Diagnostic Biomarker Publisher Pubmed



Kazemi S¹ ; Mirzaei R² ; Karampoor S³ ; Hosseinifard SR⁴ ; Ahmadyousefi Y^{5, 6} ; Soltanian AR⁷ ; Keramat F¹ ; Saidijam M⁶ ; Alikhani MY^{1, 8}
Source: Microbial Pathogenesis Published:2023

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), continues to be a major global health concern. Understanding the molecular intricacies of TB pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of single-stranded RNA molecules characterized by covalently closed loops, have recently emerged as potential diagnostic biomarkers in various diseases. CircRNAs have been demonstrated to modulate the host's immunological responses against TB, specifically by reducing monocyte apoptosis, augmenting autophagy, and facilitating macrophage polarization. This review comprehensively explores the roles and mechanisms of circRNAs in TB pathogenesis. We also discuss the growing body of evidence supporting their utility as promising diagnostic biomarkers for TB. By bridging the gap between fundamental circRNA biology and TB diagnostics, this review offers insights into the exciting potential of circRNAs in combatting this infectious disease. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd