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  • Review Article
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The emerging roles of microRNAs in CNS injuries

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 9, pages 328–339 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

The consequences of injuries to the CNS are profound and persistent, resulting in substantial burden to both the individual patient and society. Existing treatments for CNS injuries such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury have proved inadequate, partly owing to an incomplete understanding of post-injury cellular and molecular changes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are RNA molecules composed of 20–24 nucleotides that function to inhibit mRNA translation and have key roles in normal CNS development and function, as well as in disease. However, a role for miRNAs as effectors of CNS injury has recently emerged. Use of bioinformatics to assess the mRNA targets of miRNAs enables high-order analysis of interconnected networks, and can reveal affected pathways that may not be identifiable with the use of traditional techniques such as gene knock-in or knockout approaches, or mRNA microarrays. In this Review, we discuss the findings of miRNA microarray studies of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and stroke, as well as the use of gene ontological algorithms to discern global patterns of molecular and cellular changes following such injuries. Furthermore, we examine the current state of miRNA-based therapies and their potential to improve functional outcomes in patients with CNS injuries.

Key Points

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical for normal development but also have a role in disease, particularly of the CNS

  • miRNA microarrays provide the highest-order view of changes that occur following injuries to the CNS, such as stroke, spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury

  • These CNS injuries affect key cellular pathways such as apoptosis, inflammation and cellular proliferation, all of which are regulated by miRNAs

  • miRNA-based therapies that augment or inhibit miRNA activity, and with enhanced bioavailability and function, are currently being developed

  • Artificial miRNAs can be designed to bind to and modify groups of mRNA transcripts that are not naturally targeted by endogenous miRNAs

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Figure 1: Therapeutic modulation of miRNA activity.

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Acknowledgements

O. G. Bhalala and J. A. Kessler are supported by NIH Grants R01NS20013 and R01NS20778. M. Srikanth is supported by NIH Grant F30NS065590.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, 60611, IL, USA

    Oneil G. Bhalala, Maya Srikanth & John A. Kessler

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  1. Oneil G. Bhalala
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O. G. Bhalala researched data for the article. All authors provided substantial contributions to discussion of content, writing the article, and to the review and/or editing of the manuscript before submission.

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Bhalala, O., Srikanth, M. & Kessler, J. The emerging roles of microRNAs in CNS injuries. Nat Rev Neurol 9, 328–339 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2013.67

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