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MicroRNAs as Potential Pharmaco-targets in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Compounded by Diabetes
Hassan Dehaini1, Hussein Awada2, Ahmed El-Yazbi3,4
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon. had29@mail.aub.edu.
Background:
Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) injury is the tissue damage that results from re-oxygenation of ischemic tissues. There are many players that contribute to I/R injury. One of these factors is the family of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are currently being heavily studied. This review aims to critically summarize the latest papers that attributed roles of certain miRNAs in I/R injury, particularly in diabetic conditions and dissect their potential as novel pharmacologic targets in the treatment and management of diabetes.
Methods:
PubMed was searched for publications containing microRNA and I/R, in the absence or presence of diabetes. All papers that provided sufficient evidence linking miRNA with I/R, especially in the context of diabetes, were selected. Several miRNAs are found to be either pro-apoptotic, as in the case of miR-34a, miR-144, miR-155, and miR-200, or anti-apoptotic, as in the case of miR-210, miR-21, and miR-146a. Here, we further dissect the evidence that shows diverse cell-context dependent effects of these miRNAs, particularly in cardiomyocytes, endothelial, or leukocytes. We also provide insight into cases where the possibility of having two miRNAs working together to intensify a given response is noted.
Conclusions:
This review arrives at the conclusion that the utilization of miRNAs as translational agents or pharmaco-targets in treating I/R injury in diabetic patients is promising and becoming increasingly clearer.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) injury, especially in diabetes. Targeting these miRNAs offers a promising therapeutic strategy for managing I/R injury in diabetic patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) injury is a significant clinical challenge.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of I/R injury.
- Diabetic conditions exacerbate I/R injury, highlighting the need for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review recent literature on the role of miRNAs in I/R injury.
- To focus on the specific involvement of miRNAs in diabetic I/R injury.
- To evaluate the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for diabetes-related I/R injury.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive PubMed search for publications on miRNAs and I/R, with and without diabetes.
- Selection of studies providing robust evidence linking specific miRNAs to I/R mechanisms.
- Analysis of miRNA functions, including pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic roles, and their context-dependent effects.
Main Results:
- Several miRNAs, such as miR-34a, miR-144, miR-155, and miR-200, exhibit pro-apoptotic effects in I/R injury.
- Other miRNAs, including miR-210, miR-21, and miR-146a, demonstrate anti-apoptotic functions.
- Evidence suggests cell-context dependent roles for miRNAs in cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and leukocytes, with potential for synergistic miRNA interactions.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs represent a promising class of therapeutic targets for I/R injury.
- Targeting miRNAs offers a novel pharmacologic strategy for managing I/R injury in diabetic patients.
- The translational potential of miRNAs in treating diabetes-associated I/R injury is increasingly evident.
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