Dysregulation of non-coding RNAs in Rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Dysregulation of the immune response is the main underlying cause of RA. Based on the growing appreciation of roles of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of the immune response, these transcripts are putative contributors in the pathogenesis of RA. Numerous studies have reported aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in fibroblast-like synoviocytes or peripheral blood cells of patients with RA. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are another subset of non-coding RNAs that also have a demonstrated involvement in the pathophysiology of RA. Here we review and summarize data regarding the role of lncRNAs, miRNAs and circular RNAs in the pathogenesis of RA and their potential role as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.