Exploring the Theranostic roles of miRNA and Epigenetics in Autoimmune
Diseases - A Comprehensive Review
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (AD) are severe pathophysiological ailments that are
stimulated by an exaggerated immunogenic response towards self-antigens,
which can cause systemic or site-specific organ damage. An array of
complex genetic and epigenetic facets majorly contributes to the
progression of AD, thus providing significant insight into the
regulatory mechanism of microRNA (miRNA). miRNAs are short, non-coding
RNAs that have been identified as essential contributors to the
post-transcriptional regulation of host genome expression and as crucial
regulators of a myriad of biological processes such as immune
homeostasis, T helper cell differentiation, central and peripheral
tolerance, and immune cell development. Pertaining to the differential
expression of miRNA attributed in target tissues and cellular bodies of
innate and adaptive immunity, a paradigm of scientific expeditions
suggests an optimistic correlation between immunogenic dysfunction and
miRNA alterations. Therefore, it is not astonishing that dysregulations
in miRNA expression patterns are now recognized in a wide spectrum of
disorders, establishing themselves as potential biomarkers and
therapeutic targets. Owing to its theranostic potencies, miRNA targets
have been widely utilized in the development of biosensors and other
therapeutic molecules originating from the same. This article tends to
deliberate and conceptualize the brief pathogenesis and pertinent
epigenetic regulatory mechanism as well as miRNA networks majorly
affecting five different ADs namely Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Diabetes,
Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and
Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD) thereby providing novel theranostic
interventions.