MicroRNAs in the regulation of autophagy and their possible use in age-related macular degeneration therapy

Juha M T Hyttinen; Janusz Blasiak; Szabolcs Felszeghy; Kai Kaarniranta

doi:10.1016/j.arr.2021.101260

MicroRNAs in the regulation of autophagy and their possible use in age-related macular degeneration therapy

Ageing Res Rev. 2021 May:67:101260. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101260. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Authors

Juha M T Hyttinen¹, Janusz Blasiak², Szabolcs Felszeghy³, Kai Kaarniranta⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland. Electronic address: Juha.Hyttinen@uef.fi.
² Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236, Lodz, Poland.
³ Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
⁴ Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, FI-70029, KYS, Finland.

PMID: 33516915
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101260

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive sight-impairing disease of the elderly. The pathogenic mechanisms of AMD are not well understood although both genetic and many environmental factors have been associated with the development of AMD. One clinical hallmark of AMD is the detrimental aggregation of damaged proteins. Recently, it has been suggested that the weakening of autophagy clearance is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of AMD. Autophagy is important in the removal of damaged or no longer needed cellular material and its recycling. A considerable number of autophagy-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs), small RNA molecules and epigenetic regulators have been found to be either up- or down-regulated in AMD patients and experimental models. The important role of autophagy-targeting miRNAs is supported by several studies and can open the prospect of the use of these miRNAs in the therapy for AMD.

Keywords: Age-Related macular degeneration; Autophagy; Exosome; Extracellular vesicle; MicroRNA; Retinal pigment epithelium.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Autophagy
Humans
Macular Degeneration* / genetics
Macular Degeneration* / therapy
MicroRNAs* / genetics
Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Substances

MicroRNAs