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Identifying the role of microRNAs in spinal cord injury

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Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is medically and socioeconomically debilitating, and effective treatments are lacking. The elucidation of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying SCI is essential for developing effective treatments for SCI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules (18–24 nucleotides long) that regulate gene expression by interacting with specific target sequences. Recent studies suggest that miRNAs can act as post-transcriptional regulators to inhibit mRNA translation. Bioinformatic analyses indicate that the altered expression of miRNAs has an effect on critical processes of SCI physiopathology, including astrogliosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and neuroplasticity. Therefore, the study of miRNAs may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of SCI. Current studies have also provided potential therapeutic clinical applications that involve targeting mRNAs to treat SCI. This review summarizes the biogenesis and function of miRNAs and the roles of miRNAs in SCI. We also discuss the potential therapeutic applications of miRNA-based interventions for SCI.

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  1. The Orthopedics Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, no. 157, West Five Road, Xi’an, 710004, China

    Jun Dong, Meng Lu, Xijing He, Jie Qin, Zhijian Cheng, Dong Wang & Haopeng Li

  2. The Orthopedics Department, Honghui Hosptial of Xi’an Jiaotong University, no. 76, Nan Guo Road, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Junkui Xu

  3. The Plastic Surgery Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, no. 157, West Five Road, Xi’an, 710004, China

    Baobao Liang

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  1. Jun Dong
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Dong, J., Lu, M., He, X. et al. Identifying the role of microRNAs in spinal cord injury. Neurol Sci 35, 1663–1671 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-014-1940-0

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