[Expressions of microRNAs in prostatic diseases: Advances in studies]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs with about 22 nucleotides, which regulate a variety of biological processes, cells and gene expressions, playing significant roles in cells and disease progression. An insight into the relationship between the miRNA expressions and prostatic diseases may contribute to a better understanding of prostatic diseases from the perspective of molecular biology, explanation of their pathogenesis, and guidance for their clinical treatment and prognosis. At present, many studies are reported on prostate cancer-related miRNAs, involving the development, progression, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the disease. However, relatively fewer studies are seen on the miRNA expressions relating to prostatitis and BPH. This article briefly describes the origin and biological role of miRNAs and reviews the advances in the studies of the expressions of related miRNAs in prostatitis, BPH and prostate cancer, aiming for a deeper insight into the roles of miRNAs in prostatic diseases and some new ideas for their clinical diagnosis and treatment as well as for the future studies of miRNAs in prostatic diseases.