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Published on: January 25, 2019
MicroRNA and Microvascular Complications of Diabetes
F Barutta1, S Bellini1, R Mastrocola2
1Laboratory of Diabetic Nephropathy, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Abstract:
In the last decade, miRNAs have received substantial attention as potential players of diabetes microvascular complications, affecting the kidney, the retina, and the peripheral neurons. Compelling evidence indicates that abnormally expressed miRNAs have pivotal roles in key pathogenic processes of microvascular complications, such as fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Moreover, clinical research into innovative both diagnostic and prognostic tools suggests circulating miRNAs as possible novel noninvasive markers of diabetes microvascular complications. In this review, we summarize current knowledge and understanding of the role of miRNAs in the injury to the microvascular bed in diabetes and discuss the potential of miRNAs as clinical biomarkers of diabetes microvascular complications.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in diabetes complications affecting organs like the kidney and retina. These molecules show promise as noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting these serious vascular issues.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in diabetes complications.
- These small non-coding RNAs influence key pathogenic processes in microvascular injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of miRNA involvement in diabetes-related microvascular damage.
- To discuss the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for these complications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on miRNAs and diabetes microvascular complications.
- Analysis of research on miRNA expression and function in affected tissues and circulation.
Main Results:
- Abnormally expressed miRNAs are central to fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis in diabetic microvascular disease.
- Circulating miRNAs are emerging as potential noninvasive markers for early detection and monitoring.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications.
- miRNAs hold significant promise as novel, noninvasive biomarkers for clinical application in diabetes management.
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