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Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Three-dimensional Imaging of Nociceptive Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers in Human Skin Biopsies
Published on: April 29, 2013
Increased cutaneous miR-let-7d expression correlates with small nerve fiber pathology in patients with fibromyalgia
Mathias Leinders1, Kathrin Doppler1, Thomas Klein1
1Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic widespread pain condition probably comprising subgroups with different underlying pathomechanisms. There is increasing evidence for small nerve fiber impairment in subgroups of patients with FMS. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate molecular factors determining nerve de- and re-generation. We investigated whether systemic and cutaneous miRNA expression in patients with FMS is related to small nerve fiber pathology. We confirmed previous findings of disturbed small fiber function and reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density in subgroups of patients with FMS. We found 51 aberrantly expressed miRNAs in white blood cells of patients with FMS, of which miR-let-7d correlated with reduced small nerve fiber density in patients with FMS. Furthermore, we demonstrated miR-let-7d and its downstream target insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor as being aberrantly expressed in skin of patients with FMS with small nerve fiber impairment. Our study gives further evidence of small nerve fiber pathology in FMS subgroups and provides a missing link in the pathomechanism that may lead to small fiber loss in subgroups of patients with FMS.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may play a role in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) subgroups with small nerve fiber loss. This study links specific miRNA expression to nerve fiber damage in FMS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex chronic pain condition with likely distinct subgroups.
- Small nerve fiber impairment is increasingly recognized in certain FMS patient groups.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of nerve regeneration and degeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between systemic and cutaneous miRNA expression and small nerve fiber pathology in fibromyalgia syndrome.
- To identify specific miRNAs associated with small nerve fiber impairment in FMS subgroups.
Main Methods:
- Confirmed small fiber dysfunction and reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density in FMS subgroups.
- Analyzed systemic miRNA expression in white blood cells from FMS patients.
- Examined cutaneous miRNA and target gene expression in FMS patients with small nerve fiber impairment.
Main Results:
- Identified 51 aberrantly expressed miRNAs in white blood cells of FMS patients.
- Found a correlation between miR-let-7d expression and reduced small nerve fiber density in FMS.
- Demonstrated aberrant expression of miR-let-7d and its target, IGF-1R, in the skin of FMS patients with nerve fiber loss.
Conclusions:
- Provides further evidence for small nerve fiber pathology in specific fibromyalgia syndrome subgroups.
- Suggests a potential role for miR-let-7d in the pathomechanism leading to small fiber loss in FMS.
- Highlights miRNAs as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in FMS subgroups.
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