Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs usually 24-30 nucleotides long that play a central role in epigenetic mechanisms of inflammatory diseases and cancers. Recently, several studies have assessed the involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated neoplasia. Particularly, it has been shown that many members of miRNAs family are involved in the pathways of inflammation and fibrogenesis of IBD; therefore, their use as inflammatory and fibrosis biomarkers has been postulated. In light of these results, the role of miRNAs in IBD therapy has been proposed and is currently under investigation with many in vitro and in vivo studies, murine models, and a phase 2a trial. The accumulating data have pushed miRNA-based therapy closer to clinical practice, although many open questions remain. With this systematic review, we discuss the current knowledge about the therapeutic effects of miRNAs mimicking and inhibition, and we explore the new potential targets of miRNA family for the treatment of inflammation and fibrosis in IBD.
Keywords: inflammatory bowel disease; intestinal fibrosis; miRNAs; therapeutic target.
Micro-RNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD, both during inflammation and fibrosis. Upregulation or downregulation of these RNA targets may be a therapeutic option, but several pathways are still under investigation. This review describes the main findings in the field and speculates on potential future implications.
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