title: The roles and perspectives of microRNAs as biomarkers for intervertebral disc degeneration.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved molecules that regulate protein levels post-transcriptionally. Aberrant miRNA expression presents in various musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The expression levels of miRNAs are characterized by endogenous properties and tissue specificity. This raises the possibility that miRNAs could serve as useful clinical biomarkers in the diagnosis of certain diseases. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the major causes of back pain, and a process characterized by a cascade of molecular, cellular, biochemical and structural changes. The presence of dysregulated miRNA expression in patients with disc degeneration diseases indicates that miRNAs may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of IDD. Here, we provide an introduction of the roles of miRNAs in the process of IDD, and the prospective application of miRNAs as biomarkers for IDD. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518020, China.|Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.|Department of Science and Education, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518001, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoya
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos Clavadelerstrasse, 8, 7270, Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grad
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos Clavadelerstrasse, 8, 7270, Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alini
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
authors.forename: Haobo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
authors.forename: Dazhi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
authors.forename: Wanxin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
authors.forename: Zhizhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518020, China.|Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.|Department of Spine Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
authors.forename: Shishu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518020, China.|Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
authors.forename: Songlin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: ECM metabolism; NP cell apoptosis; NP cell proliferation; biomarker; intervertebral disc degeneration; microRNA