Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
04:50

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain

Published on: May 16, 2025

1.5K

MicroRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis

Eisa Salehi1, Rahil Eftekhari, Mona Oraei

  • 1Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina St, Ghods St, Enghelab Ave, Tehran, 1417613151, Iran.

Clinical Rheumatology
|March 5, 2015
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play regulatory roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), acting as either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory agents. Ongoing research explores their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for RA.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Rheumatic diseases involve complex genetic and epigenetic factors.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in disease pathogenesis.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) research has actively investigated miRNA involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review experimental research on miRNAs and RA.
  • To summarize available data on miRNA roles in RA up to January 2015.
  • To explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for RA diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed using keywords "microRNA" and "rheumatoid arthritis" (2008-2015).
  • Inclusion of related papers from reference lists.
  • Analysis of experimental studies evaluating miRNA expression or function in RA.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs exhibit dual roles, acting as pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory molecules in various cell types.
  • miRNAs function as regulatory agents in RA pathogenesis.
  • Studies involved comparing miRNA levels in patients versus controls and functional investigations (overexpression/silencing).

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are critical regulatory molecules in rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Multiple miRNA targets have been identified through in vivo, in vitro, and in silico methods.
  • Further research is ongoing to establish the clinical efficacy of miRNAs in RA management.

More Related Videos

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice07:37

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice

Published on: June 6, 2025

1.5K
Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation13:36

Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

20.2K

Related Concept Videos

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
17.1K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.9K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.4K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

12.1K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
14.2K
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
3.5K