Immune Netw.  2011 Oct;11(5):227-244. 10.4110/in.2011.11.5.227.

MicroRNAs in Human Diseases: From Autoimmune Diseases to Skin, Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Ha TY

• KMID: 2167995
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2011.11.5.227

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression via degradation or translational repression of their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that miRNAs play critical roles in several biologic processes, including cell cycle, differentiation, cell development, cell growth, and apoptosis and that miRNAs are highly expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells and a wide range of miRNAs are involved in the regulation of immunity and in the prevention of autoimmunity. It has been increasingly reported that miRNAs are associated with various human diseases like autoimmune disease, skin disease, neurological disease and psychiatric disease. Recently, the identification of mi- RNAs in skin has added a new dimension in the regulatory network and attracted significant interest in this novel layer of gene regulation. Although miRNA research in the field of dermatology is still relatively new, miRNAs have been the subject of much dermatological interest in skin morphogenesis and in regulating angiogenesis. In addition, miRNAs are moving rapidly onto center stage as key regulators of neuronal development and function in addition to important contributions to neurodegenerative disorder. Moreover, there is now compelling evidence that dysregulation of miRNA networks is implicated in the development and onset of human neruodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome, Down syndrome, depression and schizophrenia. In this review, I briefly summarize the current studies about the roles of miRNAs in various autoimmune diseases, skin diseases, psychoneurological disorders and mental stress.

Keyword

MicroRNAs; Autoimmnune disease; Psychiatric disease; Skin disease

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Apoptosis
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmunity
Cell Cycle
Cell Differentiation
Depression
Dermatology
Down Syndrome
Gene Expression
Humans
Huntington Disease
MicroRNAs
Morphogenesis
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurons
Parkinson Disease
Repression, Psychology
RNA
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Small Untranslated
Schizophrenia
Skin
Skin Diseases
Tourette Syndrome
MicroRNAs
RNA
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Small Untranslated

Figure

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  Figure 1 Various miRNAs are involved in diverse metabolic processes, diabetes and diabetic complications. A variety of miRNAs are involved in insulin synthesis, glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. Dysregulations of diverse metabolic processes lead to diabetic complications, such as diabetic cardiopathy and diabetic nephropathy (See Text for details).

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  Figure 2 Changes of miRNA signatures of regulatory T (Treg) cells separated from peripheral blood of type 1 diabetic patients (See Text for details).

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  Figure 3 Altered patterns of miRNA expression in brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

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  Figure 4 A overview of microRNA (miRNA)-transcription (TF) regulatory networks in schiziophrenia. A TF regulates transcription of its target gene by specifically binding to the transcription factor binding site in gene's promotor region. TFs activate schizophrenia-related miRNAs (SZmiRNAs) and schizophrenia candidate genes (SZGenes). However, SZmiRNAs inhibit SZGenes and TFs. Both TF and miRNA regulate their target genes and form feedforward loops (FFLs). It was found that FFLS were significantly enriched in schizophrenia.→ Activation; ⇒ Inhibition. (See Text for details).

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  Figure 5 miRNAs influence the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. A variety of miRNAs are found in the central nervous system (CNS), and are believed to play critical roles in brain development and structural plasticity. Modifiable changes in epigenetic or miRNA expression along with genetic polymorphisms activate or inhibit miRNA in CNS and lead to either healthy or dysregulated mood. As regards therapeutic potential of miRNA in psychiatric diseases, targetting miRNAs may provide insight into the common and unique pathway. Elucidating more miRNAs and predicted targets may reveal novel therapies that modified plasticity cascades to restore synaptic function, neuronal circuity, and mood regulation.

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