MicroRNA-21 in Skin Fibrosis: Potential for Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Skin fibrosis is a common pathological process characterized by fibroblast proliferation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. However, the pathogenesis of the disease is still not clear. Previous studies have shown that microRNA-21 may play pivotal roles in the regulation of a variety of skin fibrosis, including keloid, scleroderma, and hypertrophic scar. In this review, we outline the structure, expression, and regulation of microRNA-21 and its role in fibrotic skin diseases. In future, it may be useful as a prognostic or diagnostic marker. However, there is a significant amount of work required to increase our current understanding of the role of microRNA-21 in skin fibrosis.

miR-21 promotes bevacizumab induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in retinal pigment epithelial cells by regulating Snail expression via TGFβ1/smad2/3 signaling pathway

“…EMT of RPE cells plays a critical role in the development of ocular fibrotic diseases [9,10]. In the present study, we demonstrated that BEV caused EMT in ARPE- 19 Snail transcription factor has been implicated as an important regulator in EMT of RPE cells. The expression of E-cadherin, which plays a key role in maintaining the epithelial phenotype is mainly regulated by Snail.…”

“…Up-or down-regulations of certain miRs are closely related to the occurrence and progression of various diseases and can be applied as molecular targets to diagnosis and treatment ocular diseases [13][14][15][16]. It has been reported that miR-21 plays a critical role in regulating fibrosis of various tissues through diverse pathways [17][18][19]. Usui-Ouchi A et al found that upregulation of miR-21 levels in the vitreous humor is associated with development of proliferative vitreoretinal disease by promoted cell proliferation and migration in RPE cells [20].…”

Identification and integrated analysis of microRNA expression profiles in keloid

“…miRNA‐31, with increased expression level in the keloid disease, may contribute to extensive fibroblast proliferation and the deposition of extracellular matrix and collagen in the formation of the keloid . miRNA‐21 was demonstrated to express at significantly higher levels in keloid fibroblasts compared to normal ones, considering its major function in promoting cell proliferation and collagen synthesis via targeting PTEN, Smad7, regulating the ratio of BAX to BCL‐2 . miRNA‐29a was recognized as a crucial therapeutic target for fibrosis diseases.…”

MicroRNA in localized scleroderma: a review of literature

“…According to literature, MiRNAs involved in TGF-β signalling cascade include miRNA-18, miRNA-20, miRNA-21, miRNA-23b, miRNA-29, miRNA-140-5p, miRNA-146a, miRNA-206 [3,16]. MiRNA supposed to regulate fibroblast proliferation and differentiation are miRNA-21, miRNA-31, miRNA-146a and miRNA-200 family [3,16]. Molecules affecting extracellular matrix synthesis and deposition are miRNA-let-7a, miRNA-7, miRNA-26a, miRNA-29, miRNA-129-5p, miRNA-133a, miRNA-133b, miRNA-150, miRNA-196a [3].…”