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Differentially expressed micro RNA in multiple sclerosis: A window into pathogenesis?
Author(s) -
Martin Nellie A.,
Illes Zsolt
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
clinical and experimental neuroimmunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 15
ISSN - 1759-1961
DOI - 10.1111/cen3.12131
Subject(s) - rna , multiple sclerosis , biology , non coding rna , rna silencing , gene expression , rna extraction , biomarker , microrna , pathogenesis , translation (biology) , gene , computational biology , messenger rna , rna interference , immunology , genetics
Micro RNA are small non‐coding RNA that mediate m RNA translation repression or m RNA degradation, and thereby refine protein expression levels. More than 30–60% of all genes are regulated by micro RNA . Exploring disease‐related micro RNA signatures is an emerging tool in biomarker discovery, and silencing has already been used in a clinical phase 2a trial. As micro RNA regulate translation of more than 100 genes, they could also provide a focused insight into important pathways, and offer a better understanding of diseases with heterogeneous pathogenesis. The number of studies investigating micro RNA related to multiple sclerosis has increased significantly in recent years. Differentially expressed micro RNA have been identified in the whole blood, serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, blood‐derived cell subsets and brain lesions of patients with multiple sclerosis. Most studies applied a non‐candidate approach of screening by microarray and validation by quantitative polymerase chain reaction or next generation sequencing; others used a candidate‐driven approach. Despite a relatively high number of multiple sclerosis‐associated micro RNA , just a few could be repeatedly found, even if similar biological materials were examined. Only part of the identified micro RNA has been extensively studied, and the biological function has not been explored in the majority. Some of the micro RNA related to multiple sclerosis are also differentially expressed in other autoimmune diseases or autoimmune models. In the present review, we discuss micro RNA related to disease compartments, activity and phenotype. We also focus on several micro RNA with well‐defined functions, or because of particular interest due to either validation by several independent studies or in‐depth exploration of function.