Is It worth Considering Circulating microRNAs in Multiple Sclerosis?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Genetics

Background:

• MicroRNA (miRNA) production and trafficking are increasingly recognized as dysregulated in autoimmune and neurological disorders.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by neurodegeneration, with observed miRNA network alterations in both immune and neural cells of patients.
• Circulating miRNAs in body fluids like plasma and cerebrospinal fluid are also found to be dysregulated in MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current scientific understanding of the function of altered circulating miRNA networks in MS.
• To explore miRNA transfer mechanisms, including extracellular vesicle trafficking, in cell-to-cell communication relevant to MS.
• To discuss the potential physiopathological roles of these miRNA transfers in MS pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on miRNA dysregulation in multiple sclerosis.
• Analysis of current theories on circulating miRNA function and intercellular transfer mechanisms.
• Synthesis of evidence regarding extracellular vesicle-mediated miRNA trafficking in MS.

Main Results:

• Circulating miRNAs are dysregulated in MS patients' plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.
• Extracellular vesicles play a role in miRNA transfer and cell-to-cell communication in the context of MS.
• Altered miRNA expression patterns are associated with disease processes in MS.

Conclusions:

• The review summarizes the function of altered circulating miRNAs in MS.
• MiRNA transfer mechanisms, particularly via extracellular vesicles, are implicated in MS pathophysiology.
• Monitoring circulating miRNA levels shows promise as a potential biomarker for MS subtype and severity assessment.