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The Role of MicroRNAs in Mitochondria-Mediated Eye Diseases

Sabrina Carrella1, Filomena Massa1, Alessia Indrieri1,2

  • 1Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|July 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial dysfunction in the retina is linked to vision loss. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) offer a promising therapeutic and biomarker strategy for both rare and common mitochondrial eye diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The retina has high energy demands, relying on mitochondria for energy supply, making retinal cells sensitive to mitochondrial dysfunction.
  • Defective mitochondrial function is linked to vision loss and neuro-ophthalmic manifestations in mitochondrial diseases.
  • Common retinal pathologies like glaucoma, AMD, and DR share similarities with mitochondrial diseases and involve abnormal mitochondrial function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in rare and common mitochondrial eye diseases.
  • To explore miRNAs as potential gene/mutation-independent therapeutic targets for retinal diseases.
  • To highlight the utility of miRNAs as predictive or prognostic biomarkers in retinal pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mitochondrial eye diseases and microRNA involvement.
  • Analysis of miRNA dysregulation in retinal degeneration models and patient data.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on miRNA participation in mitochondria-mediated retinal pathologies.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs are key regulators in retinal development, physiology, and pathology.
  • Dysregulated miRNA expression is observed in retinal degeneration, suggesting their involvement.
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common factor in both rare inherited and common acquired retinal diseases.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs play a significant role in mitochondria-mediated retinal diseases.
  • miRNA modulation presents a potential therapeutic strategy independent of specific gene mutations.
  • MicroRNAs are promising molecular biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of retinal diseases, with significant clinical application potential.
Keywords:
AMDMitomiRdiabetic retinopathyglaucomamicroRNAmitochondriamitochondrial diseasesretina

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