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Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy
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Published on: October 4, 2019

The role of microRNAs in glioma initiation and progression

Ying Zhang1, Anindya Dutta, Roger Abounader

  • 1University of Virginia, Department of Microbiology, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|December 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate genes. This review explores how deregulated miRNAs impact glioma stem cells (GSCs) and brain tumor development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Gliomas are aggressive primary brain tumors originating from glioma stem-like cells (GSCs).
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs, are crucial regulators of gene expression.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is a hallmark of many cancers, including gliomas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current literature on the function of miRNAs in glioma biology.
  • To specifically highlight the role of miRNAs in the pathobiology of GSCs.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of published studies on miRNAs and gliomas.
  • Analysis of the regulatory roles of miRNAs in gene expression within the context of GSCs.
  • Synthesis of findings related to miRNA deregulation and glioma progression.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are frequently dysregulated in gliomas, affecting tumor initiation, growth, and therapeutic resistance.
  • Specific miRNAs play critical roles in maintaining GSC properties, such as self-renewal and tumorigenicity.
  • miRNA deregulation contributes significantly to various aspects of glioma pathobiology.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are key players in glioma development and progression, particularly within GSCs.
  • Understanding miRNA roles in GSCs offers potential for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for gliomas.
  • Further research into miRNA-GSC interactions is warranted for advancing brain tumor treatment.

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