title: The role of microRNAs in myopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In recent years, research on microRNAs (miRNAs) has become popular because of the critical role these macromolecules play in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Recent efforts have been made to identify miRNAs and their possible roles in myopia. The aim of this review was to summarize the expression and function of miRNAs during the development of myopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this article, we reviewed the current research on the mechanisms that regulate miRNA expression, the potential for miRNAs as a diagnostic biomarker for myopia, and the mechanisms by which miRNAs promote the development of myopia. We also discussed the miRNA expression profiles in human fetal sclera.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We summarized the miRNA expression profiles in myopia, including miR-328, miR-184, miR-29a, and miR-let-7i, and also the miRNA expression profiles in fetal sclera, including miR-214, miR-let-7, miR-103, miR-107, miR-29b, miR-328, and miR-98.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Such knowledge could lead to more precise diagnosis, prognosis, and response predictions for future treatments for myopia, and the pace of discovery is expected to accelerate dramatically in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qinchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Yanan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qinchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China.
authors.forename: Yangshun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qinchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China. wangjy4@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jianyong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009216:Myopia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Biomarkers; Gene regulation; MicroRNAs; Myopia