MicroRNA-29: a potential therapeutic target for systemic sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease of unknown cause characterized by microvasculopathy, fibroblast activation, and excessive production of collagen, causing tissue and organ damage. Effective medical treatment for SSc is lacking because the etiology and pathogenesis of SSc are not fully understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, regulatory, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs that negatively modulate gene expression by either promoting the degradation of mRNA or down-regulating the protein production by translational repression. Among them, miRNA-29 is recently discovered as a class of miRNAs which is related to fibrotic disease. Numerous evidences have confirmed that miRNA-29 involved in the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulated organ fibrosis. These findings revealed a potential and appealing role for miRNA-29 as SSc therapeutic targets.


METHODS
This review provides a comprehensive view on the biogenesis and functions of miRNAs. We also discuss the aberrant expression of miRNA-29 in SSc, and summarize current understanding of miRNA-29 involved in the process of fibrosis. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting miRNA-29 in SSc.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the exact pathogenesis of SSc still remains to be clarified, Targeting miRNA-29 may serve as a promising therapy strategy.
Anhui Medical University, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Hefei, Anhui, PR China.
Wen-Jia
WJ
Peng
Jin-Hui
JH
Tao
Bin
B
Mei
Bing
B
Chen
Bao-Zhu
BZ
Li
Guo-Jun
GJ
Yang
Qiong
Q
Zhang
Hua
H
Yao
Bing-Xiang
BX
Wang
Qian
Q
He
Jing
J
Wang
D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000628:therapy*
C532045:MIRN29a microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs