MicroRNA profile in understanding pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease caused by genetic and epigenetic alterations as well as environmental factors. SLE is a multisystem disease whose pathogenesis is poorly understood<span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32);">. Current therapies are based on nonspecific immunosuppression but till date no permanent cure has been documented for SLE. Recent advances in RNA interference have opened new directions for SLE pathogenesis, more significant being the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small, evolutionary conserved, non-coding, RNA molecules. Emerging evidences show that miRNAs affect the stability and translational efficiency of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by post transcriptionally regulating gene expression of the target mRNAs. miRNAs play a vital role in development, regulation and prevention of immune diseases. The potential of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents is extensively studied by researchers worldwide. In this article, various miRNAs associated with SLE pathogenesis and their associated mechanisms in cellular processes have been reviewed.

</span>