title: Current progress on microRNAs-based therapeutics in neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs)-based therapy has recently emerged as a promising strategy in the treatments of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, in this review, the most recent and important challenges and advances on the development of miRNA therapeutics for brain targeting are discussed. In particular, this review highlights current knowledge and progress in the field of manufacturing, recovery, isolation, purification, and analysis of these therapeutic oligonucleotides. Finally, the available miRNA delivery systems are reviewed and an analysis is presented in what concerns to the current challenges that have to be addressed to ensure their specificity and efficacy. Overall, it is intended to provide a perspective on the future of miRNA-based therapeutics, focusing the biotechnological approach to obtain miRNAs. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1409. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1409 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: João A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.|REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Figueiras
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fani
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9996-2194
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sousa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs