Regulation of autophagy by circular RNAs in rheumatoid arthritis: Potential targets of action

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that autophagic pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is regulated by circular RNAs (circRNAs), which accelerate bone damage by participating in the immune inflammatory response. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying circRNA regulation of autophagy is essential for maintaining homeostasis of the skeletal microenvironment in RA and may improve our understanding of the specific pathways involved in the development of therapeutics. In this review, we discuss autophagic imbalance in RA and the regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs. We also explore possible targets for circRNA regulation of autophagy in RA, which may provide us with improved knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of RA.