Involvement of miR-126 in autoimmune disorders

BACKGROUND: Micro-RNA represent a great family of small non-condign ribonucleic acid molecules; in particular microRNA-126 is an important member of this family and is expressed in many human cells such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial and lung cells. Some studies have shown the implication of miR-126 in cancer, but recently significant progresses have also been made in determining the role of miR-126 regulating immune-related diseases; probably, in a near future, they could potentially serve as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to investigate the role of miR-126 in autoimmune diseases, so as to offer innovative therapies. RESULTS: According literature, it was concluded that miRNAs, especially miR-126, are involved in many pathologies and that their expression levels increase in autoimmune diseases because they interfere with the transcription of the proteins involved. Since microRNAs can be detected from several biological sources, they may be attractive as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, disease activity and severity of various diseases. In fact, once confirmed the involvement of miR-126 in autoimmune diseases, it was speculated that it could be used as a promising biomarker. These discovers implicate that miR-126 have a central role in many pathways leading to the development and sustain of autoimmune diseases. Its key role make this microRNA a potential therapeutic target in autoimmunity. CONCLUSION: Although miR-126 relevant role in several immune-related diseases, further studies are needed to clear its molecular mechanisms; the final step of these novel researches could be the blockage or the prevention of the diseases onset by creating of new targeted therapy.