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Published on: June 24, 2025
The roles of microRNAs in spinal cord injury
Zhongju Shi1, Hengxing Zhou1, Lu Lu1
1a Department of Orthopaedics , Tianjin Medical University General Hospital , Tianjin , P. R. China.
Background And Purpose:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves serious damage that can result in abnormal or absent motor and sensory functions and a disruption of autonomic function, and a series of pathological reactions occur after the injury. As a type of small non-coding RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been verified to inhibit gene expression via post-transcriptional regulation. This review mainly focuses on recent advances regarding the roles of miRNAs following SCI.
Methods:
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were adopted. The studies regarding the roles of miRNAs following SCI were identified through PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. We summarise the changes in expression levels of miRNAs and discuss the roles of miRNAs after SCI.
Results:
A total of 77 empirical studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Existing studies showed that miRNAs were temporally altered and had effects on apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, astrogliosis, oligodendrocyte development, axonal regeneration and remyelination after SCI. The alteration of miRNAs and the regulative action of pathological reactions can also provide opportunities for potential therapeutic interventions. "miRNA replacement therapy" aims to transfer miRNAs into diseased cells via delivery techniques and improve targeting effectiveness in cells, and this novel therapeutic tool provides a promising technique to promote the repair of SCI and reduces functional deficits.
Conclusions:
This review is helpful for understanding the underlying mechanisms of SCI and the potential clinical value of miRNAs. miRNAs have the potential to be attractive tools and targets for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of SCI.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show altered expression after spinal cord injury (SCI), impacting key pathological processes. These findings highlight miRNAs as promising targets for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for SCI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs, regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- Understanding miRNA roles in SCI is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in the roles of miRNAs following spinal cord injury.
- To summarize changes in miRNA expression levels and their functional implications in SCI.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Literature search conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases.
- Analysis of 77 empirical studies on miRNA involvement in SCI.
Main Results:
- miRNAs exhibit temporal alterations after SCI.
- miRNAs influence critical processes including apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, astrogliosis, oligodendrocyte development, axonal regeneration, and remyelination.
- Altered miRNA expression presents therapeutic opportunities, such as miRNA replacement therapy.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are integral to SCI pathogenesis.
- miRNAs offer potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SCI.
- Further research into miRNA mechanisms can advance SCI treatment strategies.
