Expression of MicroRNAs in Sepsis-Related Organ Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Sepsis is a critical condition characterized by increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and proliferating cells such as neutrophils and macrophages in response to microbial pathogens. Such processes lead to an abnormal inflammatory response and multi-organ failure. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are single-stranded non-coding RNAs with the function of gene regulation. This means that miRNAs are involved in multiple intracellular pathways and thus contribute to or inhibit inflammation. As a result, their variable expression in different tissues and organs may play a key role in regulating the pathophysiological events of sepsis. Thanks to this property, miRNAs may serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in such life-threatening events. In this narrative review, we collect the results of recent studies on the expression of miRNAs in heart, blood, lung, liver, brain, and kidney during sepsis and the molecular processes in which they are involved. In reviewing the literature, we find at least 122 miRNAs and signaling pathways involved in sepsis-related organ dysfunction. This may help clinicians to detect, prevent, and treat sepsis-related organ failures early, although further studies are needed to deepen the knowledge of their potential contribution.

Acute and Chronic Systemic Inflammation: Features and Differences in the Pathogenesis, and Integral Criteria for Verification and Differentiation

“…In particular, there are well-established methods of microcirculatory disorder assessment, such as intravascular bed microscopic examination [ 27 ] and determination of blood markers of pathological endotheliocyte activation, for instance, syndecan-1 [ 28 , 29 ] and angiopoietin-2 [ 30 ], as well as markers of mononuclear phagocyte activation such as sTREM1 [ 31 ] and presepsin (sCD14) [ 32 ]. In addition, the evaluation of non-coding microRNAs and extracellular vesicles in the blood is a promising method for assessing systemic inflammation, which allows for the clarification of tissue sites of activation and damage in the systemic process [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Metabolic Reprogramming and Its Regulatory Mechanism in Sepsis-Mediated Inflammation

“…A review of the currently available data on miRNAs involved in the major target organs (heart, lung, liver, kidney and blood) during sepsis found at least 122 miRNAs and signaling pathways involved in sepsis-related organ dysfunction, which may help clinicians to detect, prevent, and treat sepsis-related organ failures early. 96 In addition, precise detection of metabolite types and levels is expected to be a potential method to assess the immune status of sepsis. During hyperinflammatory stage, small molecule drugs, microRNA targeting HIF-α-related signaling pathways and promoting M2-type polarization by metabolic regulation can be promising ways to avoid excessive inflammatory response causing multiple organ damage.…”

Fighting Fire with Fire: Exosomes and Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury

“…According to the current data, microRNAs (miRNAs) are the primary form of RNA delivered by exosomes. MiRNAs are small ncRNAs that are highly conserved in organisms and are approximately 20–24 nucleotides in length [ 57 ]. In recent years, miRNAs have been shown to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by pairing with mRNA 3′-untranslated regions of target genes [ 58 ].…”