Targeting miR‑21 in spinal cord injuries: a game‑changer?

Molecular Medicine, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10020-022-00546-w · Published: September 12, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Genetics

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to various pathological conditions like neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, limiting recovery. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small RNA molecules that regulate genes and are involved in normal and disease processes. miR-21, a highly expressed miR, increases after SCI. Overexpression of miR-21 protects against SCI by reducing neuroinflammation, improving blood-spinal cord barrier function, regulating angiogenesis, controlling glial scar formation and preventing apoptosis.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
miR-21 overexpression reduces neuroinflammation after SCI by decreasing the expression of inflammatory factors.
2
miR-21 controls glial scar formation by modulating astrocytes’ secretion, proliferation, and apoptosis, interacting with signaling pathways.
3
miR-21 promotes angiogenesis by increasing the expression of angiogenesis-related molecules and promoting the survival, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells.

Research Summary

miR-21 has potential against the burden of SCI through suppressing the inflammatory milieu in neural cells, apoptosis inhibition, improving angiogenesis, and synapsis protection. Current understanding showed favorable effects of miR-21 overexpression in a preclinical setting and it is worth exploring clinically. Exercise, a therapeutic strategy commonly applied in the rehabilitation path of SCI patients, affects miR-21 expression at the nervous system levels.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

miR-21 could be a therapeutic target for SCI treatment by promoting recovery through multiple pathways.

Drug Delivery

RNA-containing particles can be delivered directly to the injury site to manage the pathology in a better condition.

Rehabilitation Optimization

Rehabilitation programs can be optimized to enhance the effect of exercise on miR-21 expression in SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
The role of miR-21 in axon regeneration is unknown.
2
The effector target(s) and the microenvironment where miR-21 will be involved can revert the goal.
3
Preclinical studies addressing efficacy and safety are essential.

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