2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (8): 1659-1666

Regulatory effect of non-coding RNA in pulmonary fibrosis

Yu Jingbang, Wu Yayun   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: To date, the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is still unknown, and there are limited treatment options available. Numerous studies have found an important role of non-coding RNAs in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE: To review the regulatory role of non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in recent years, in order to provide a more in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
METHODS: The first author searched the literature published from 2000 to 2024 by computer, and searched CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and PubMed databases using the search terms of “non-coding RNA, microRNA, long-chain non-coding RNA, circular RNA, pulmonary fibrosis, review” in Chinese and English. Finally, 65 articles were included according to the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Pulmonary fibrosis, as a chronic and usually fatal lung disease, may arise not only spontaneously but also be as a secondary consequence of other diseases. It is mainly characterized by abnormal proliferation and massive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the interstitium of the lungs. Non-coding RNAs are RNA molecules transcribed from the genomes that are not involved in protein-coding processes and by virtue of their regulatory capabilities, they have become first-line molecular players in a variety of biological phenomena. Non-coding RNAs have been found to play a key role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, and microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs can be involved in the development of pulmonary fibrosis by influencing gene expression, post-transcriptional modifications, and intercellular signaling. This provides a new direction for the subsequent exploration of the specific molecular mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis, and a theoretical basis and new ideas for the development of new targeted drugs for pulmonary fibrosis.
Key words: non-coding RNA, microRNA, long-chain non-coding RNA, circular RNA, pulmonary fibrosis, review