MicroRNAs as novel endogenous targets for regulation and therapeutic treatments

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that have been identified as key endogenous biomolecules that are able to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The abnormal expression or function of miRNAs has been demonstrated to be closely related to the occurrence or development of various human diseases, including cancers. Regulation of these abnormal miRNAs thus holds great promise for therapeutic treatments. In this review, we summarize exogenous molecules that are able to regulate endogenous miRNAs, including small molecule regulators of miRNAs and synthetic oligonucleotides. Strategies for screening small molecule regulators of miRNAs and recently reported small molecules are introduced and summarized. Synthetic oligonucleotides including antisense miRNA oligonucleotides and miRNA mimics, as well as delivery systems for these synthetic oligonucleotides to enter cells, that regulate endogenous miRNAs are also summarized. In addition, we discuss recent applications of these small molecules and synthetic oligonucleotides in therapeutic treatments. Overall, this review aims to provide a brief synopsis of recent achievements of using both small molecule regulators and synthetic oligonucleotides to regulate endogenous miRNAs and achieve therapeutic outcomes. We envision that these regulators of endogenous miRNAs will ultimately contribute to the development of new therapies in the future.

Local Immunomodulation Using an Adhesive Hydrogel Loaded with miRNA‐Laden Nanoparticles Promotes Wound Healing

“…Therefore, therapies that efficiently induce the polarization of macrophages toward the M2 phenotype could significantly improve the healing process. microRNAs (miRNAs), which are short single‐stranded RNAs of 21–25 nucleotides, have gained significant interest for the treatment of a variety of diseases . This is mainly due to their ability to target multiple genes in a particular pathway, leading to long‐lasting effects at the molecular level .…”

Evaluating the role of tissue microRNA‐27b as a diagnostic marker for oral lichen planus and possible correlation with CD8

“…Within the past decade, researchers have focused on the role of microRNAs in different physiological and pathological processes. These small, non‐coding RNA molecules are involved in the control of the cell cycle, and their alterations are associated with inflammatory, autoimmune, and carcinogenic processes . Building on their role in immunity control, several miRNAs (including miR125, miR137, miR147a, miR155, miR181, and miR223) were investigated and found involved in the pathogenesis of OLP and its malignant transformation via alteration of their tissue expression and functions …”

Polymer nanocarriers for MicroRNA delivery

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, noncoding RNAs that regulate the expression of various genes by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules in the cell cytoplasm either with perfect complementarity, resulting in mRNA degradation, or with imperfect complementarity at the 3′ UTR (untranslated region), resulting in translational repression . Since the first miRNA, lin‐4, was discovered in 1993, over 1917 human miRNAs have been identified, and these collectively regulate the expression of at least one‐third of protein‐coding genes . miRNAs play a pivotal role in controlling diverse cellular functions and metabolic pathways, and dysregulated miRNA expression has been implicated in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more .…”

“…Since the first miRNA, lin‐4, was discovered in 1993, over 1917 human miRNAs have been identified, and these collectively regulate the expression of at least one‐third of protein‐coding genes . miRNAs play a pivotal role in controlling diverse cellular functions and metabolic pathways, and dysregulated miRNA expression has been implicated in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more . Consequently, delivering antagomiRs that suppress the expression of overabundant disease‐promoting miRNAs, or delivering miRNA mimics to restore the expression of downregulated disease‐suppressive miRNAs, have become attractive therapeutic strategies to eradicate disease.…”