A systematic review of overlapping microRNA patterns in systemic sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Lung fibrosis can be observed in systemic sclerosis and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, two disorders where lung involvement carries a poor prognosis. Although much has been learned about the pathogenesis of these conditions, interventions capable of reversing or, at the very least, halting disease progression are not available. Recent studies point to the potential role of micro messenger RNAs (microRNAs) in cancer and tissue fibrogenesis. MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNA sequences (20-23 nucleotides) that are endogenous, evolutionarily conserved and encoded in the genome. By acting on several genes, microRNAs control protein expression. Considering the above, we engaged in a systematic review of the literature in search of overlapping observations implicating microRNAs in the pathogenesis of both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Our objective was to uncover top microRNA candidates for further investigation based on their mechanisms of action and their potential for serving as targets for intervention against lung fibrosis. Our review points to microRNAs of the -29 family, -21-5p and -92a-3p, -26a-5p and let-7d-5p as having distinct and counter-balancing actions related to lung fibrosis. Based on this, we speculate that readjusting the disrupted balance between these microRNAs in lung fibrosis related to SSc and IPF may have therapeutic potential.

Interactions between the MicroRNAs and Microbiota in Cancer Development: Roles and Therapeutic Opportunities

“…For instance, lung cancer microbiota is enriched in Proteobacteria and is more diverse in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in males and heavier smokers [91]. On the other hand, numerous miRNAs are differently expressed in lung disease [92,93], and miRNA-21 is overexpressed in lung cancer [94], and it is well known that numerous elements of the microbiota such as Bacteroides, Lactococcus lactis and Fusobacterium nucleatum are able to modify the expression of this miRNA [31,43,50].…”

SHIP‐1, a target of miR‐155, regulates endothelial cell responses in lung fibrosis

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating gene expression and specific miRNAs participate in the fibrotic process in different tissues and organs . MiRNA‐155 (miR‐155), a pro‐inflammatory factor via SHIP‐1 downregulation, has been identified as having immune regulatory functions and plays a critical role in tissue fibrosis in liver and lung .…”

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating gene expression and specific miRNAs participate in the fibrotic process in different tissues and organs. [7][8][9] MiRNA-155 (miR-155), a pro-inflammatory factor via SHIP-1 downregulation, has been identified as having immune regulatory functions and plays a critical role in tissue fibrosis in liver and lung. [10][11][12][13] However, contradictory effects of miR-155, pro-fibrotic and anti-fibrotic, in experimental and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, have been reported.…”

Mir-608 Overexpression in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is Related to Acetylcholinesterase Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)

“…miR-608 is located on human chromosome 10q24.31. Although not afermentioned in IPF [19], current studies in tumors indicate that miR-608 affects cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis [20,21]. Although the expression level of miR-608 was found to be downregulated in several types of cancer [8,[22][23][24][25], these studies did not take into account the SNPs that can signi cantly affect miRNA stability and function [7].…”