Atuação dos micrornas como biomarcadores na retinopatia diabética

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (RD) is one of the main complications related to diabetes mellitus (DM) and is the main cause of blindness in people aged between 20 and 74 years. Currently, DR can be diagnosed only by trained specialists, a factor that, in many cases, makes it difficult to identify the condition early. Recent studies reveal that circulating MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a group of conserved short sequences of endogenous RNAs, play a significant role in development of DM. Objective: To analyze the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of microRNA in diabetic retinopathy and its role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Search methodology: Literature review in the PubMed and Scielo databases between 2015 and 2020, using the terms 'English MicroRna as biomarkers' and '' diabetic retinopathy '' as descriptors. Discussion: DR is characterized by lesions and progressive occlusions of retinal vessels. Epigenetic changes, including regulation of miRNAs, contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. From this perspective, studies show that there is increased or decreased expression of certain miRNAs during the pathogenesis of DR, being the most studied today. Final considerations: Studies show that altered levels of circulating miRNA may provide a new biomarker for the detection and monitoring of the disease. Despite the great advances related to the theme in recent years, most studies have been done on animals or on a small sample of humans, requiring further studies with a larger sample.