The Osteoporosis/Microbiota Linkage: The Role of miRNA

Abstract

Hundreds of trillions of bacteria are present in the human body in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with the host. A stable dynamic equilibrium exists in healthy individuals between the microbiota, host organism, and environment. Imbalances of the intestinal microbiota contribute to the determinism of various diseases. Recent research suggests that the microbiota is also involved in the regulation of the bone metabolism, and its alteration may induce osteoporosis. Due to modern molecular biotechnology, various mechanisms regulating the relationship between bone and microbiota are emerging. Understanding the role of microbiota imbalances in the development of osteoporosis is essential for the development of potential osteoporosis prevention and treatment strategies through microbiota targeting. A relevant complementary mechanism could be also constituted by the permanent relationships occurring between microbiota and microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are a set of small non-coding RNAs able to regulate gene expression. In this review, we recapitulate the physiological and pathological meanings of the microbiota on osteoporosis onset by governing miRNA production. An improved comprehension of the relations between microbiota and miRNAs could furnish novel markers for the identification and monitoring of osteoporosis, and this appears to be an encouraging method for antagomir-guided tactics as therapeutic agents.

The Microbiota-Bone-Allergy Interplay

“…The latter are small non-coding RNAs capable of regulating gene expression. The importance of the role of miRNAs in many pathological conditions [ 116 , 117 , 118 ], including allergies [ 119 ] and OP [ 120 , 121 ], is emerging. Being able to fully understand the relationship between miRNA and microbiota could allow to have new disease markers and pave the way for new targeted and personalized therapeutic strategies [ 122 ].…”

Role of Exosomal MicroRNAs and Their Crosstalk with Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Osteoporosis

“…Duan et al confirmed the efficacy of miR-140 delivery using engineered exos for osteoarthritis therapy [64]. The expression of miRNAs changes across the different phases of OP, and some miRNAs play a role in OP progression [65]. Consequently, the control of miRNA expression using exos could be a feasible approach for gene therapy in cases of OP.…”

Peripheral Vascular Abnormalities in Anorexia Nervosa: A Psycho-Neuro-Immune-Metabolic Connection

“…Many important players of anorexia nervosa are influenced by gut microbiota such as gut inflammation and permeability, energy food extraction and body weight gain, anxiety, depression, and complex psychological behaviors. The gut microbiota is mainly influenced by nutrition and obviously in AN selective eating and nutritional restriction are relevant influencing factors [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. The influence of gut microbiota on host health and physiology and more specifically its role in regulating the dysfunction, as reaction to different injuries, of distant organs and systems has been the subject of numerous studies [ 70 ].…”