title: MicroRNAs in the pathogenesis of cystic kidney disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cystic kidney diseases are common renal disorders characterized by the formation of fluid-filled epithelial cysts in the kidneys. The progressive growth and expansion of the renal cysts replace existing renal tissue within the renal parenchyma, leading to reduced renal function. While several genes have been identified in association with inherited causes of cystic kidney disease, the molecular mechanisms that regulate these genes in the context of post-transcriptional regulation are still poorly understood. There is increasing evidence that microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is associated with the pathogenesis of cystic kidney disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this review, recent studies that implicate dysregulation of miRNA expression in cystogenesis will be discussed. The relationship of specific miRNAs, such as the miR-17∼92 cluster and cystic kidney disease, miR-92a and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and alterations in LIN28-LET7 expression in Wilms tumor will be explored.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At present, there are no specific treatments available for patients with cystic kidney disease. Understanding and identifying specific miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders may have the potential to lead to the development of novel therapies and biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: aRangos Research Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC bUniversity of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Yu Leng
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Phua
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007690:Polycystic Kidney Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D006623:von Hippel-Lindau Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs