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MicroRNAs in Sepsis
Asimina Valsamaki1, Vasileios Vazgiourakis1, Konstantinos Mantzarlis1
1Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece.
Abstract:
Sepsis is an insidious and frequent condition of severe inflammation due to infections. Several biomarkers have been established for initial screening, but the non-specific nature of the existing biomarkers has led to the investigation of more sensitive and specific tools, such as microRNAs (miRs). These non-coding RNAs are involved in several diseases, including sepsis, due to their roles in cellular homeostasis. Herein, a literature overview was attempted to distinguish the most prominent miRs identified in septic conditions and their usefulness in diagnosis, prognosis and even classification of sepsis. miRs implicated in the regulation of pro and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, such as MIR-146a, MIR-155, MIR-181b, MIR-223-5p, MIR-494-3p, MIR-2055b, MIR-150 and MIR-143 have been pinpointed as acceptable testing tools. Furthermore, the use of miRs as screening panels, specific for septic parameters, such as type of causal infection, inflammation immune pathways affected (NF-kB, STAT/JACK), organs inflicted, as well as parallel screening of certain miRs alongside other long non-coding RNAs (LNCs), as co-regulators of sepsis progression. Overall, miRs exhibit benefits in terms of specificity and sensitivity, as well as practical ease of use and test stability. Furthermore, miRs could offer valuable insights into the molecular basis of disease causality and provide valuable therapeutic information.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRs) show promise as sensitive and specific biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis. These non-coding RNAs offer insights into sepsis mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Sepsis is a severe inflammatory condition caused by infections.
- Current biomarkers for sepsis lack specificity.
- MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding RNAs involved in cellular homeostasis and disease, including sepsis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review prominent miRs identified in sepsis.
- To assess the utility of miRs in sepsis diagnosis, prognosis, and classification.
- To explore miRs as potential screening tools for specific septic parameters.
Main Methods:
- Literature overview of studies identifying miRs in septic conditions.
- Analysis of miRs involved in inflammatory and immune pathways.
- Investigation of miRs for correlation with infection type, affected organs, and immune pathways (e.g., NF-kB, STAT/JACK).
Main Results:
- Several miRs, including MIR-146a, MIR-155, MIR-181b, MIR-223-5p, MIR-494-3p, MIR-2055b, MIR-150, and MIR-143, are highlighted as potential diagnostic and prognostic tools.
- miRs can be used in panels to specify infection type, affected organs, and immune pathways.
- Co-screening of miRs with long non-coding RNAs (LNCs) is suggested for understanding sepsis progression.
Conclusions:
- miRs offer enhanced specificity and sensitivity compared to traditional biomarkers for sepsis.
- miRs are stable, easy to use, and provide valuable insights into sepsis molecular basis and causality.
- miRs hold potential for improved sepsis diagnosis, prognosis, classification, and therapeutic guidance.
