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Updated: Sep 1, 2025
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
MicroRNAs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Complications
Srikruthi S Krishnachaitanya1, Max Liu1, Ken Fujise2
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
Abstract:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), classified primarily between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a collection of chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions that cause multiple complications because of systemic alterations in the immune response. One major player is microRNA (miRNA), which is found to be associated with multiple pathways in mediating inflammation, especially those of a chronic nature in IBD, as well as irritable bowel syndrome. Although there have been studies linking miRNA alterations in IBD, even differentiating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, this review focuses mainly on how miRNAs cause and mechanistically influence the pathologic complications of IBD. In addition to its role in the well-known progression towards colorectal cancer, we also emphasize how miRNA manifests the many extraintestinal complications in IBD such as cardiovascular diseases; neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders; and others, including various musculoskeletal, dermatologic, ocular, and hepatobiliary complications. We conclude through a description of its potential use in bettering diagnostics and the future treatment of IBD and its systemic symptoms.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) significantly influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) complications. This review details how miRNAs drive IBD pathology, including colorectal cancer and extraintestinal issues, and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic gastrointestinal inflammation.
- Systemic immune alterations in IBD contribute to numerous complications.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in inflammatory pathways relevant to IBD and irritable bowel syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanistic role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of IBD complications.
- To explore the involvement of miRNAs in both intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations of IBD.
- To discuss the potential of miRNAs in IBD diagnostics and therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on miRNA's role in IBD.
- Analysis of studies linking miRNA alterations to IBD pathology.
- Synthesis of evidence on miRNA-mediated complications.
Main Results:
- miRNAs are key mediators of chronic inflammation in IBD.
- miRNA dysregulation contributes to colorectal cancer development in IBD patients.
- miRNAs are implicated in extraintestinal complications, including cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, musculoskeletal, dermatologic, ocular, and hepatobiliary conditions.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are central to IBD pathogenesis and its diverse complications.
- Understanding miRNA mechanisms offers novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for IBD.
- Targeting miRNAs may improve management of both intestinal and systemic IBD symptoms.
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