Leiden University Scholarly Publications

Zonneveld, A.J. van; Zhao, Q.; Rotmans, J.I.; Bijkerk, R. (2023)

Circulating non-coding RNAs in chronic kidney disease and its complications

Article / Letter to editor

Circulating non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are derived from specific cell types and can be directly transferred to a variety of cells to affect their function. This Review describes the relevance of circulating ncRNAs to the development of kidney disease and discusses the potential use of circulating ncRNAs as diagnostic factors and therapeutic targets.Post-transcriptional regulation by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can modulate the expression of genes involved in kidney physiology and disease. A large variety of ncRNA species exist, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, piwi-interacting RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, circular RNAs and yRNAs. Despite early assumptions that some of these species may exist as by-products of cell or tissue injury, a growing body of literature suggests that these ncRNAs are functional and participate in a variety of processes. Although they function intracellularly, ncRNAs are also present in the circulation, where they are carried by extracellular vesicles,...Show moreCirculating non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are derived from specific cell types and can be directly transferred to a variety of cells to affect their function. This Review describes the relevance of circulating ncRNAs to the development of kidney disease and discusses the potential use of circulating ncRNAs as diagnostic factors and therapeutic targets.Post-transcriptional regulation by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can modulate the expression of genes involved in kidney physiology and disease. A large variety of ncRNA species exist, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, piwi-interacting RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, circular RNAs and yRNAs. Despite early assumptions that some of these species may exist as by-products of cell or tissue injury, a growing body of literature suggests that these ncRNAs are functional and participate in a variety of processes. Although they function intracellularly, ncRNAs are also present in the circulation, where they are carried by extracellular vesicles, ribonucleoprotein complexes or lipoprotein complexes such as HDL. These systemic, circulating ncRNAs are derived from specific cell types and can be directly transferred to a variety of cells, including endothelial cells of the vasculature and virtually any cell type in the kidney, thereby affecting the function of the host cell and/or its response to injury. Moreover, chronic kidney disease itself, as well as injury states associated with transplantation and allograft dysfunction, is associated with a shift in the distribution of circulating ncRNAs. These findings may provide opportunities for the identification of biomarkers with which to monitor disease progression and/or the development of therapeutic interventions.Show less

All authors

Zonneveld, A.J. van; Zhao, Q.; Rotmans, J.I.; Bijkerk, R.

Date

2023-06-07

Journal

Nature Reviews Nephrology

Volume

19

Issue

9

Pages

573 - 586

DOI

doi:10.1038/s41581-023-00725-w