Editor's corner: Targeting the miR-146a-3p/BDNF pathway in major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by complex interactions of genetic, environmental, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, and neuroplasticity-related mechanisms. In this edition of Editor's Corner, we discuss the possible role of miR-146a-3p in the progression of MDD. Sun et al. combined bioinformatic analysis with molecular and behavioral experiments and showed that BDNF is directly regulated by miR-146a-3p. Increased miR-146a-3p expression was associated with reduced BDNF signaling, impaired synaptic plasticity, and depressive-like behavior. Despite the lack of validation in human samples, the study suggests that targeting the miR-146a-3p/BDNF interaction may have therapeutic relevance in MDD.