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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Implication of miRNAs for inflammatory bowel disease treatment: Systematic review
Wei-Xu Chen1, Li-Hua Ren1, Rui-Hua Shi1
1Wei-Xu Chen, Li-Hua Ren, Rui-Hua Shi, Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
Abstract:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is believed to develop via a complex interaction between genetic, environmental factors and the mucosal immune system. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are two major clinical forms of IBD. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, endogenous, noncoding RNA molecules, and evolutionary conserved in animals and plants. It controls protein production at the post-transcriptional level by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or degradation. MiRNAs are important in many biological processes, such as signal transduction, cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Considerable attention has been paid on the key role of miRNAs in autoimmune and inflammatory disease, especially IBD. Recent studies have identified altered miRNA profiles in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer. In addition, emerging data have implicated that special miRNAs which suppress functional targets play a critical role in regulating key pathogenic mechanism in IBD. MiRNAs were found involving in regulation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B pathway (e.g., miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-122, miR-132, miR-126), intestinal epithelial barrier function (e.g., miR-21, miR-150, miR-200b) and the autophagic activity (e.g., miR-30c, miR-130a, miR-106b, miR-93, miR-196). This review aims at discussing recent advances in our understanding of miRNAs in IBD pathogenesis, their role as disease biomarkers, and perspective for future investigation and clinical application.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. These small molecules influence immune responses and gut barrier function, offering potential as biomarkers for IBD diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, arises from complex genetic, environmental, and immune interactions.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally, impacting crucial cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding the role of miRNAs in IBD pathogenesis.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for IBD.
- To discuss future research directions and clinical applications of miRNAs in IBD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating miRNA expression and function in IBD.
- Analysis of miRNA involvement in key inflammatory pathways, including NF-κB signaling.
- Examination of miRNA roles in maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and regulating autophagy.
Main Results:
- Altered miRNA profiles are observed in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and IBD-associated colorectal cancer.
- Specific miRNAs are implicated in regulating the NF-κB pathway (e.g., miR-146a), intestinal barrier function (e.g., miR-21), and autophagy (e.g., miR-30c).
- MiRNAs demonstrate potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for IBD.
Conclusions:
- MiRNAs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.
- MiRNA profiling represents a promising avenue for IBD biomarker discovery.
- Further research into miRNA mechanisms and clinical applications could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for IBD.
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