MicroRNA-34a: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Fibrosis

Min Zhao; Qin Qi; Shimin Liu; Rong Huang; Jiacheng Shen; Yi Zhu; Jing Chai; Handan Zheng; Huangan Wu; Huirong Liu

doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.895242

MicroRNA-34a: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Fibrosis

Front Physiol. 2022 Jun 20:13:895242. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.895242. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Min Zhao¹, Qin Qi^{2

3}, Shimin Liu^{2

3}, Rong Huang², Jiacheng Shen², Yi Zhu³, Jing Chai², Handan Zheng^{2

3}, Huangan Wu^{2

3}, Huirong Liu^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
³ Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Fibrosis can occur in many organs, and severe cases leading to organ failure and death. No specific treatment for fibrosis so far. In recent years, microRNA-34a (miR-34a) has been found to play a role in fibrotic diseases. MiR-34a is involved in the apoptosis, autophagy and cellular senescence, also regulates TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway, and negatively regulates the expression of multiple target genes to affect the deposition of extracellular matrix and regulate the process of fibrosis. Some studies have explored the efficacy of miR-34a-targeted therapies for fibrotic diseases. Therefore, miR-34a has specific potential for the treatment of fibrosis. This article reviews the important roles of miR-34a in fibrosis and provides the possibility for miR-34a as a novel therapeutic target in fibrosis.

Keywords: TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway; apoptosis; autophagy; fibrosis; microRNA-34a; senescence; target genes.

Publication types

Review