Dysregulated Expression of miRNAs in Immune Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

In recent years the critical role of miRNAs has been established in many diseases, including autoimmune disorders. Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is a predominant autoimmune disease, in which aberrant expression of miRNAs has been observed, suggesting that miRNAs are involved in its development. miRNAs could induce an imbalance in the T helper (Th)1/Th2 cell and Th17/Treg cell-related responses. Moreover, they could also cause alterations in Th9 and Th22 cell responses, and activate Tfh (T follicular helper) cell-dependent auto-reactive B cells, thus influencing megakaryogenesis. Herein, we summarize the role of immune-related miRNAs in ITP pathogenesis, and look forward to clinical applications.

Lay abstract

Clarification of the role of miRNAs in development of immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP; a disorder that can lead to excessive bruising and bleeding) can provide new insights in the development of novel therapeutic approaches. The clinical applications of miRNAs and miRNA-based drugs are on the horizon. In addition to the involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of ITP, miRNAs may be also considered as biomarkers for ITP, providing more accurate information on prognosis, staging and response to treatment.

Keywords: :

• diagnosis
• immune thrombocytopenia purpura
• miRNA
• noncoding RNAs
• pathogenesis
• T cells

Author contributions

A Jafarzadeh, H Reza Mirzaei and H Mirzaei were responsible for study conception and design; H Marzban, M Nemati, S Jafarzadeh, M Mahjoubin-Tehran and MR Hamblin were responsible for drafting and revision of the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank H Ghadamyari, G Baniebrahimi and S Mollazadeh for critical discussion of the work.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

MR Hamblin declares the following potential conflicts of interest: Scientific Advisory Boards: Transdermal Cap Inc, Cleveland, OH; Hologenix Inc., Santa Monica, CA; Vielight, Toronto, Canada; JOOVV Inc, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Consulting; USHIO Corp, Japan; Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.