MicroRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The role of genetic and epigenetic factors in the development of rheumatic diseases has been an interesting field of research over the past decades all around the world. Research on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been active and ongoing, and investigations have attempted to use miRNAs as biomarkers in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This review focuses on experimental researches in the field of miRNAs and RA to present the data available up to this date and includes researches searched by keywords "microRNA" and "rheumatoid arthritis" in PubMed from 2008 to January 2015. All references were also searched for related papers. miRNAs are shown to act as proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory agents in diverse cell types, and their role seems to be regulatory in most instances. Researchers have evaluated miRNAs in patients compared to controls or have investigated their role by overexpressing or silencing them. Multiple targets have been identified in vivo, in vitro, or in silico, and the researches still continue to show their efficacy in clinical settings.

Marijuana-derived Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol suppresses Th1/Th17 cell-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity through microRNA regulation

“…As such, dysregulation of miRNA seen in disease models, including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, has become a topic of major interest for possible therapeutic targets [37]. In the current study, we identified two miRNA and two target genes as possible therapeutic modalities: miR-21 with its target SMAD7 and miR-29b with its target IFN-γ.…”

“…As such, dysregulation of miRNA seen in disease models especially those considered inflammatory and/or autoimmune has become a topic of major interest for possible therapeutic targets [37]. The importance of miRNA in hypersensitivity was recently highlighted by the observance of similarly elevated miRNA expression in both human and mouse allergic contact dermatitis skin samples [38].…”

Melatonin attenuates TNF‐α and IL‐1β expression in synovial fibroblasts and diminishes cartilage degradation: Implications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

“…In RA, miRNAs act as proinflammatory or anti‐inflammatory regulators at the post‐transcriptional level . Up until now, the role of miRNA during melatonin administration in RA has not been described.…”

“…In RA, miRNAs act as proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory regulators at the post-transcriptional level. 44 Up until now, the role of miRNA during melatonin administration in RA has not been described. We performed four miRNA prediction programs (TargetScan, miRmap, miR-Walk, and RNAhybrid) and identified that miR-3150a-3p is a candidate miRNA that binds to both 3′UTRs of IL-1β and TNF-α ( Figure 4A).…”

Circulating miR‐99b‐5p as a novel predictor of erosion progression on high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in early rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective cohort study

“…Dysregulation of micro RNAs (miRNAs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RA . Alterations in the expression level of different miRNAs may contribute to the development of autoimmunity, particularly in RA . miRNAs may be implicated in the remodeling of bone and cartilage through regulation of osteoclastogenesis, osteoblastogenesis and differentiation of articular chondrocytes.…”