Possible roles of exosomal miRNAs in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus

Congcong Li1, Hong He1, Jiaqin Wang1

  • 1Affiliated Stomatology Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University 395 Yanan Road, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China.

Insights

Exosomes and their microRNAs may play a role in oral lichen planus development. These tiny vesicles could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for this oral condition.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The exact causes and development of oral lichen planus remain unclear.
  • Exosomes, small vesicles involved in cell communication, are increasingly recognized for their role in disease pathogenesis.
  • Understanding exosome function offers potential insights into oral lichen planus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential involvement of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.
  • To review current knowledge on the biological characteristics and clinical significance of exosomes in oral lichen planus.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on exosomes, exosomal miRNAs, and oral lichen planus.
  • Analysis of the role of bioactive components within exosomes in intercellular communication.
  • Exploration of exosomes as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • Exosomes contain bioactive components that mediate intercellular communication relevant to disease.
  • Exosomal miRNAs are implicated in the complex biological pathways of oral lichen planus.
  • Exosomes show promise as biomarkers for oral lichen planus diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomes and their cargo, particularly miRNAs, are likely involved in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.
  • Further research into exosomes could lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for oral lichen planus.
  • Exosomes represent a promising area of study for understanding and managing oral lichen planus.

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.7K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
23.8K
Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
3.4K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
9.7K