Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science) >

2026 , Vol. 46 >Issue 3: 391 - 399

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2026.03.014

Review

Overview of new advances in the treatment of myocardial injury with circular RNA

  • Zhang Yeting ,
  • Zheng Yuxuan ,
  • Tao Pengjie ,
  • Zhou Wenqin ,
  • Lü Dongchao
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  • 1.School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
    2.School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
    3.School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200122, China
Lü Dongchao, E-mail: lu_dongchao@shutcm.edu.cn.

Received date: 2025-08-04

  Accepted date: 2025-11-27

  Online published: 2026-03-30

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China(82400423);Shanghai Pujiang Program(23PJ1412200)

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Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is a major global public health issue, yet effective treatment methods are still lacking. Circular RNA, with its unique circular structure that confers remarkable stability, exhibits significant regulatory effects in myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, heart failure, and cardiotoxicity induced by cancer treatment, all of which are associated with myocardial injury. Circular RNA influences the occurrence and development of myocardial injury by regulating key molecular signaling pathways, including cell survival, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress. In addition, circular RNA, as a biomarker, shows certain application prospects in the early diagnosis and prognosis assessment of cardiovascular diseases. By using RNA technologies, including the circular RNA mimic system and the siRNA system, to regulate the gain and loss of circular RNA gene functions, the mechanisms by which circular RNA protects against myocardial injury can be further clarified. This paper systematically reviews the latest research progress of circular RNA in the field of myocardial injury treatment, focuses on summarizing the application strategies of circular RNA-based therapeutics developed through in vitro transcription and engineered circularization technologies in pre clinical research, explores the potential value of circular RNA as a novel therapeutic target, and provides new ideas and directions for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Key words： circular RNA; non-coding RNA; RNA therapy; cardiotoxicity; myocardial injury; in vitro transcription RNA technology; engineered circularization technology

Cite this article

Zhang Yeting , Zheng Yuxuan , Tao Pengjie , Zhou Wenqin , Lü Dongchao . Overview of new advances in the treatment of myocardial injury with circular RNA[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2026 , 46(3) : 391 -399 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2026.03.014

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