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MicroRNA-21: a central regulator of fibrotic diseases via various targets

Ying Huang, Yong He, Jun Li1

  • 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Mei Shan Road, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China. kaoyan110@126.com.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|December 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) promotes fibrosis by increasing fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. This review explores miR-21

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression.
  • Fibrosis involves fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is linked to fibrotic disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in tissue fibrosis.
  • To highlight miR-21 as a potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target for fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical and experimental studies on miR-21 and fibrosis.
  • Analysis of miR-21's regulatory mechanisms in fibroblast proliferation and ECM deposition.

Main Results:

  • Elevated miR-21 expression is associated with increased interstitial fibroblast proliferation.
  • miR-21 promotes abnormal extracellular matrix deposition, contributing to fibrosis.
  • miR-21 is increasingly recognized for its role beyond oncogenesis in fibrotic diseases.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNA-21 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of various fibrotic diseases.
  • miR-21 presents potential as a biomarker for diagnosing and predicting fibrosis.
  • Targeting miR-21 offers a promising therapeutic strategy for managing fibrotic conditions.

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