Inflammation-regulatory microRNAs: Valuable targets for intracranial atherosclerosis

Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is the most common etiology of ischemic stroke with the highest rate of stroke recurrence. Little is currently known of the association of circulating inflammation-regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) with ICAS. In this review, we briefly discuss that ICAS is characterized as a dynamic and unstable inflammatory process within intracranial arteries. Then, as a topic of discussion, we mainly concentrate on the following crucial miRNAs (miR-155, miR-27a/b, miR-342-5p, miR-21, miR-124, and miR-223) by virtue of their multiple roles in regulating the progression of atherosclerosis involved with systemic and local inflammatory activities in cerebral arteries. Clinical perspectives of other miRNAs (miR-146a, miR-181b, miR-126, miR-143, and let-7b) in ICAS are also mentioned. In relevance to the inflammatory mechanisms of ICAS, the in-depth knowledge of miRNAs engaged in the progression of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques may provide an approach to a more precise exploration of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for ICAS.