Circular RNAs in Ischemic Stroke: Biological Role and Experimental Models

Ischemic stroke is among the leading causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. Despite the recent progress in the management of acute ischemic stroke, timely intervention still represents a challenge. Hence, strategies to counteract ischemic brain injury during and around the acute event are still lacking, also due to the limited knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. Despite the increasing understanding of the complex pathophysiology underlying ischemic brain injury, some relevant pieces of information are still required, particularly regarding the fine modulation of biological processes. In this context, there is emerging evidence that the modulation of circular RNAs, a class of highly conserved non-coding RNA with a closed-loop structure, are involved in pathophysiological processes behind ischemic stroke, unveiling a number of potential therapeutic targets and possible clinical biomarkers. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of experimental studies on the role of circular RNAs in ischemic stroke.