miRNAs: novel regulators of autoimmunity-mediated pancreatic β-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a series of conserved, short, non-coding RNAs that modulate gene expression in a posttranscriptional manner. miRNAs are involved in almost every physiological and pathological process. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that is the result of selective destruction of pancreatic β-cells driven by the immune system. miRNAs are also important participants in T1D pathogenesis. Herein, we review the most recent data on the potential involvement of miRNAs in T1D. Specifically, we focus on two aspects: the roles of miRNAs in maintaining immune homeostasis and regulating β-cell survival and/or functions in T1D. We also discuss circulating miRNAs as potent biomarkers for the diagnosis and prediction of T1D and investigate potential therapeutic approaches for this disease.
Center for Medical Research, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Ying
Y
Zheng
Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.|Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Zhen
Z
Wang
Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.|Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Zhiguang
Z
Zhou
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D016923:Cell Death; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*
D035683:MicroRNAs