Meeting abstract

MIRNAS AS BIOMARKERS IN AUTOIMMUNE RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Maria Filkova ; Institute of Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding single-stranded RNAs of about 22 nucleotides in length that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Depending on the complementarity between miRNA and target mRNA, cleavage or destabilization of mRNA or translational suppression occurs within the RISC complex. As gene expression regulators, miRNAs are involved in a variety of biological functions. Dysregulation of miRNAs and their target genes contribute to pathophysiology of many disorders including autoimmune rheumatic diseases. For example, dysregulation of miR-155, miR-146a or miR-203 have been known for a long time to contribute to aggressive behavior of synovial fibroblasts and inflammatory milieu in rheumatoid arthritis. Dysregulation of miR-155 or miR-130b infl uence inflammatory or resident renal tubular cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. MiR-29 appears a key regulator of collagen expression in systemic sclerosis. Many miRNAs have been shown to be of therapeutic potential in in vivo animal models. MiRNAs are also present extracellularly in body fluids. Their incorporation into membrane vesicles or protein complexes with Ago2, HDL or nucleophosmin 1 protects them against RNases. Cell-free miRNAs can be delivered to another cell in vitro and maintain their functional potential. Therefore, miRNAs can be considered mediators of intercellular communication. Remarkable stability of cell-free miRNAs makes them accessible in body fluids. However, their origin, target tissue/organ or mechanism of action at the targeted site remains to be elucidated. We aim to summarize growing pieces of evidence supporting diagnostic and prognostic potential of cell-free miRNAs in autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies or Sjögren´s syndrome. Acknowledgement: Projects MHCR 023728.
References:
1. Filková M, Jüngel A, Gay RE, Gay S. MicroRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis: potential role in diagnosis and therapy. BioDrugs. 2012 Jun
1;26(3):131–41.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

212217

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/212217

Publication date:

5.12.2018.

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