人类疾病的发生发展是环境因素与遗传学因素相互作用的结果。环境有害暴露导致的机体功能紊乱和疾病发生,与细胞内环状RNA(circRNA)的表达异常有密切关系,circRNA的功能和作用是医学研究的热点领域。circRNA是表观遗传学的一类具有环状结构的RNA分子,由于其特殊的结构和复杂的功能,在调控疾病发生和病理过程中承担着重要角色。本文系统地介绍了circRNA的来源、功能,结合作者课题组的研究成就,综述了circRNA在环境有害暴露相关疾病中的作用和机制,探讨了circRNA作为潜在生物标志物在研究中所面临的挑战。

The development of human diseases is the result of the interaction between environmental and genetic factor. Abnormal expression of cellular circular RNA (circRNA) is closely related to function disorders and diseases caused by environmental exposure. The function of circRNA is a research focus in medical science. CircRNA is the epigenetic molecular with circular structure. Because of its special structure and complex function, it plays an important role in the regulation of disease occurrence and pathological process. In this paper, the origin and functions of circRNA are systematically described. Combined with the achievements of the author's research group, the functions and mechanism of environmental exposure related diseases were reviewed. And the challenges of circRNA as a potential biomarker in research were discussed.