The role of microRNAs in depression

Ruidong Ding; Dingyuan Su; Qian Zhao; Yu Wang; Jia-Yi Wang; Shuangyu Lv; Xinying Ji

doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1129186

The role of microRNAs in depression

Front Pharmacol. 2023 Mar 29:14:1129186. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1129186. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Ruidong Ding¹, Dingyuan Su¹, Qian Zhao¹, Yu Wang¹, Jia-Yi Wang², Shuangyu Lv¹, Xinying Ji^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China.
² San-Quan College, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
³ Kaifeng Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Biosafety, Kaifeng, Henan, China.
⁴ Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder with increasing prevalence worldwide. It is a leading cause of disability and suicide, severely affecting physical and mental health. However, the study of depression remains at an exploratory stage in terms of diagnostics and treatment due to the complexity of its pathogenesis. MicroRNAs are endogenous short-stranded non-coding RNAs capable of binding to the 3'untranslated region of mRNAs. Because of their ability to repress translation process of genes and are found at high levels in brain tissues, investigation of their role in depression has gradually increased recently. This article summarizes recent research progress on the relationship between microRNAs and depression. The microRNAs play a regulatory role in the pathophysiology of depression, involving dysregulation of monoamines, abnormalities in neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, hyperactivity of the HPA axis, and dysregulation of inflammatory responses. These microRNAs might provide new clue for the diagnosis and treatment of MDD, and the development of antidepressant drugs.

Keywords: MDD; biomarker; brain; depression; microRNA.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81971280), the Program for Innovative Talents of Science and Technology in Henan Province (No. 23HASTIT043), the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province for Excellent Young Scholars (No. 212300410026), the Medical Science and Technology Program of Henan Province (No. SBGJ202103096), and the Program for Young Key Teacher of Henan Province (No. 2020GGJS037).