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MicroRNA Molecules, Master Regulators, Biomarkers, and Potential Therapies

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Abstract

A group of small noncoding RNAs-known as microRNAs-are master posttranscriptional regulators of cellular processes during specification and also preserve tissue homeostasis in adults. Most of the microRNA molecules (miRNAs) are tissue and stage specific, so that patterns of miRNA expression can be useful biomarkers in neoplastic, degenerative, and inflammatory diseases. Environmental factors have a great impact on the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases, due to their ability to induce epigenetic modifications in gene expression patterns. A common vehicle of exogenously induced epigenetic modifications is oxidative stress. A number of miRNA are induced by redox-sensitive transcription factors and/or by epigenetic modifications. These miRNAs participate in the cellular response to oxidative stress either by protecting cells or promoting damage. In this sense, high-throughput miRNA expression studies can identify miRNA signatures that will help assess the risk of oxidative stress-dependent damage in defined cell populations. Importantly, a single miRNA can regulate an entire molecular pathway through the binding and translational inhibition of several end products. Furthermore, some miRNAs control the activity of transcriptional regulators. This ability makes miRNA attractive as therapeutic agents, an emerging field that is starting to be explored.

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Abbreviations

Ago:

Argonaute

DGCR:

DiGeorge critical region

DNMT:

DNA methyltransferase

DUSP:

Domain in ubiquitin-specific proteases

ERK:

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase

FGF:

Fibroblastic growth factor(s)

Fox:

Forkhead box transcription factor

GSH:

Reduced glutathione

GW:

Glycin-tryptophan dipeptide-rich protein

HDAC:

Histone deacetylase(s)

HIF:

Hypoxia-inducible factor

HO:

Heme oxygenase

ICOS:

Inducible T cell costimulator

IFN:

Interferon

IL:

Interleukin

IRAK:

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase

IRF:

Interferon regulatory factor

LDL:

Low-density lipoproteins

MMP:

Metalloproteinase

miRNA:

MicroRNA molecule(s)

NF:

Nuclear factor

NO:

Nitric oxide

NOS:

Nitric oxide synthase

Nrf2:

Erythroid 2-related factor

P bodies:

Processing bodies

PBMC:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells

PDCD:

Programmed cell death

PDGF:

Platelet-derived growth factor

PDGFR:

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor

PTPN:

Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type

RISC:

RNA-induced silencing complex

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

RUNX:

Runt-related transcription factor

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

SPARC:

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine

SP:

Specificity protein

TCR:

T cell receptor

TLR:

Toll-like receptor(s)

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

TRAF:

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor

TRBP:

TAR RNA-binding protein

Txnrd:

Thioredoxin reductase

UTR:

Untranslated region

VCAM:

Vascular cell adhesion molecule

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Division, Jimenez Díaz Foundation University Hospital, Madrid, Spain

    Olga Sánchez-Pernaute M.D., Ph.D. & María Pérez-Ferro

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  1. Olga Sánchez-Pernaute M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. María Pérez-Ferro
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Correspondence to Olga Sánchez-Pernaute M.D., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac Farmacia, Department of Pharmacology, University of Valencia, Av Vicent Andres Estelles S/n Burjasot, Valencia, 46100, Spain

    Maria Jose Alcaraz

  2. , NEIRID Lab, Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Trav. Choupana sn, Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain

    Oreste Gualillo

  3. Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital, Rheumatology Division, Autonoma University, Avda Reyes Católicos 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain

    Olga Sánchez-Pernaute

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Sánchez-Pernaute, O., Pérez-Ferro, M. (2013). MicroRNA Molecules, Master Regulators, Biomarkers, and Potential Therapies. In: Alcaraz, M., Gualillo, O., Sánchez-Pernaute, O. (eds) Studies on Arthritis and Joint Disorders. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6166-1_19

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