Circular RNA: what they are, how they are formed, their function and how we might be able to harness them for treatment of skin diseases

Circular RNAs (circRNA) are covalently closed circularly structured RNA molecules that influence cellular biology through multiple types of mechanisms. CircRNAs most studied function is as a competitive endogenous RNA regulating microRNAs, however they can also interact with RNA binding proteins, regulate transcription, and encode proteins. In this review, we examine the role of circRNAs in skin diseases, including cancer, inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis, and wound healing. Broader roles for circRNAs in diagnostics and therapeutics for skin diseases are also discussed.