MicroRNA dysregulation in multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by central nervous system (CNS) demyelination and axonal degeneration. Although the cause of MS is still unknown, it is widely accepted that novel drug targets need to focus on both decreasing inflammation and promoting CNS repair. In MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, non-coding small microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in the immune system and CNS. Since individual miRNAs are able to down-regulate multiple targeted mRNA transcripts, even minor changes in miRNA expression may lead to significant alterations in gene expression. Herein, we review miRNA signatures reported in CNS tissue and immune cells of MS patients and consider how altered miRNA expression may influence MS pathology.
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada ; Program in NeuroEngineering, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada.
Omar
O
de Faria
Craig S
CS
Moore
Timothy E
TE
Kennedy
Jack P
JP
Antel
Amit
A
Bar-Or
Ajit S
AS
Dhaunchak
MS lesions; immune system; miRNA; multiple sclerosis; myelin