Metastases account for the overwhelming majority of cancer-associated deaths. The dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs involves a complex process known as the invasion-metastasis cascade. The underlying biological mechanisms of metastasis, however, remain largely elusive. Recently, the discovery and characterization of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have revealed the diversity of their regulatory roles, especially as key contributors throughout the metastatic cascade. Here, we review recent progress in how three major types of ncRNAs (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs) are involved in the multistep procedure of metastasis. We further examine interactions among the three ncRNAs as well as current progress in their regulatory mechanisms. We also propose the prevention of metastasis in the early stages of cancer progression and discuss current translational studies using ncRNAs as targets for metastasis diagnosis and treatments. These studies provide insights into developing more effective strategies to target metastatic relapse.
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics* ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics* ; MicroRNAs ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; RNA, Circular/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the regulatory effect of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) on type H vessels angiogenesis of bone. METHODS: Recent domestic and foreign related literature about the regulation of ncRNA in type H vessels angiogenesis was widely reviewed and summarized. RESULTS: Type H vessels is a special subtype of bone vessels with the ability to couple bone formation. At present, the research on ncRNA regulating type H vessels angiogenesis in bone diseases mainly focuses on microRNA, long ncRNA, and small interfering RNA, which can affect the expressions of hypoxia inducible factor 1α, platelet derived growth factor BB, slit guidance ligand 3, and other factors through their own unique ways of action, thus regulating type H vessels angiogenesis and participating in the occurrence and development of bone diseases. CONCLUSION At present, the mechanism of ncRNA regulating bone type H vessels angiogenesis has been preliminarily explored. With the deepening of research, ncRNA is expected to be a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular related bone diseases.
Humans ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; Bone Diseases/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; RNA, Small Interfering

Bronchial asthma (i.e. asthma) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway inflammatory response, hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling, in which T cells play a vital role, especially T helper cells (Th cells). Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are the RNAs that do not encode proteins, mainly including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are widely found in eukaryotic genomes and participate in the regulation of various biological processes. Previous studies have shown that ncRNAs play an important role in the activation and transformation of T cells and other biological processes in asthma. The specific molecular mechanism and clinical application are worth in-depth discussion. This article reviewed the research progress in regulation of miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs on T cells in asthma in recent years.
Asthma/genetics* ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics* ; T-Lymphocytes

Non-exosomal non-coding RNAs (non-exo-ncRNAs) and exosomal ncRNAs (exo-ncRNAs) have been associated with the pathological development of myocardial infarction (MI). Accordingly, this analytical review provides an overview of current MI studies on the role of plasma non-exo/exo-ncRNAs. We summarize the features and crucial roles of ncRNAs and reveal their novel biological correlations via bioinformatics analysis. The following contributions are made: (1) we comprehensively describe the expression profile, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, and "pre-necrotic" biomarkers of non-exo/exo-ncRNAs for MI; (2) functional enrichment analysis indicates that the target genes of ncRNAs are enriched in the regulation of apoptotic signaling pathway and cellular response to chemical stress, etc.; (3) we propose an updated and comprehensive view on the mechanisms, pathophysiology, and biomarker roles of non-exo/exo-ncRNAs in MI, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the clinical management of MI.
Humans ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics* ; RNA ; Myocardial Infarction/genetics* ; Biomarkers ; Computational Biology ; MicroRNAs/genetics*

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNA molecules that exclude mRNA, tRNA and rRNA, and do not code proteins. ncRNAs play a various roles in the regulation of important vital activities in many organisms such as bacteria, fungi and mammals. Recent researches have shown that ncRNAs, as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, have tremendous impacts on the occurrence and development of tumors. Meanwhile, ncRNAs have become a new type of tumor markers and new targets for cancer treatment. This review describes the research progresses of ncRNAs such as small interference RNA and microRNA, and their roles in carcinogenesis.
Animals ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Untranslated ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThis article aims to review recent studies on the biological characteristics of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), transcription regulation by lncRNAs, and the results of recent studies on the mechanism of action of lncRNAs in tumor development.

DATA SOURCESThe data cited in this review were mainly obtained from the articles listed in PubMed and HighWire that were published from January 2002 to June 2010. The search terms were "long non-coding RNA", "gene regulation", and "tumor".

STUDY SELECTIONThe mechanism of lncRNAs in gene expression regulation, and tumors concerned with lncRNAs and the role of lncRNAs in oncogenesis.

RESULTSlncRNAs play an important role in transcription regulation by controlling chromatin remodeling, transcriptional control, and post-transcriptional controlling. lncRNAs are involved in many kinds of tumors and play key roles as both suppressing and promoting factors.

CONCLUSIONlncRNAs could perfectly regulate the balance of gene expression system and play important roles in oncogenic cellular transformation.

Animals ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; RNA, Untranslated ; genetics

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of functional RNAs that play critical roles in different diseases. NcRNAs include microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs. They are highly expressed in the brain and are involved in the regulation of physiological and pathophysiological processes of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Mounting evidence indicates that ncRNAs play key roles in CNS diseases. Further elucidating the mechanisms of ncRNA underlying the process of regulating glial function that may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for CNS diseases.
Humans ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; RNA, Circular ; Central Nervous System Diseases/genetics*

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome and an independent risk factor of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure. At present, the treatments of AKI are still very limited and the morbidity and mortality of AKI are rising. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are RNAs that are transcribed from the genome, but not translated into proteins. It has been widely reported that ncRNA is involved in AKI caused by ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), drugs and sepsis through different molecular biological mechanisms, such as apoptosis and oxidative stress response. Therefore, ncRNAs are expected to become a new target for clinical prevention and treatment of AKI and a new biomarker for early warning of the occurrence and prognosis of AKI. Here, the role and mechanism of ncRNA in AKI and the research progress of ncRNA as biomarkers are reviewed.
Acute Kidney Injury/metabolism* ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Circular ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics* ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics*

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a large class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins, regulate gene expressions multifacetedly, and influence the metabolism, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cells as well as the occurrence and progression of tumors. Some of the ncRNAs act as cancer genes, such as miR-19a, miR-125b, miR-616, miR-7, miR-221, MALAT-1, and PRNCR1, which are upregulated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) tissues or cell lines, and promote the development and progression of CRPC, some act as tumor suppressor genes, including miR-185, miR-342, miR-15, miR-16, and miR-146, which are downregulated in CRPC tissues or cell lines and inhibit or delay the occurrence of CRPC, and still others, such as miR-7, miR-19a, miR-125b, miR-221, and MALAT-1, are differentially expressed in the serum or tissue and can be used as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of CRPC. This article presents an overview on the roles of ncRNAs in the occurrence, progression, diagnosis, and prognosis of CRPC and advances in their studies.
Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; genetics ; RNA, Untranslated ; genetics

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a main cause of death and disability worldwide, posing a serious threat to public health. But currently, the diagnosis and treatments for TBI are still very limited. Exosomes are a group of extracellular vesicles and participate in multiple physiological processes including intercellular communication and substance transport. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) are of great abundancy as cargo of exosomes. Previous studies have shown that ncRNAs are involved in several pathophysiological processes of TBI. However, the concrete mechanisms involved in the effects induced by exosome-derived ncRNA remain largely unknown. As an important component of exosomes, ncRNA is of great significance for diagnosis, precise treatment, response evaluation, prognosis prediction, and complication management after TBI.
Brain Injuries, Traumatic/genetics* ; Cell Communication ; Exosomes/genetics* ; Extracellular Vesicles ; Humans ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics*