Abstract
miRNAs are small endogenous conserved non-coding RNA molecules that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression through mRNA degradation or translational inhibition, modulating nearly 60% of human genes. Cystic diseases are characterized by the presence of abnormal fluid-filled sacs in the body, and though most cysts are benign, they can grow inside tumors and turn malignant. Recent evidence has revealed that the aberrant expression of a number of miRNAs present in extracellular fluids, including plasma or serum, urine, saliva, follicular fluid, and semen, contribute to different cystic pathologies. This review aims to describe the role of different miRNAs in three worldwide relevant cystic diseases: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and pancreatic cyst tumors (PCTs), as well as their potential use as novel biomarkers.
Highlights
Cysts are sacs or capsules that generally contain a liquid or semisolid substance
Bioinformatic analysis revealed that a number of target genes of the aforesaid miRNAs are actively involved in cell cycle, metastasis, apoptosis, and endocrine pathways targeting mainly P13k-Akt, MAPK, and Tolllike receptor signaling pathways. They showed that miR-222 has a positive association with serum insulin, while miR-146 is negatively associated with serum testosterone; both insulin and testosterone levels have been altered in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients
Both the miRNAs were predicted to target the insulin receptor substrate proteins 2 (IRS-2), which is crucial in the insulin signaling pathway and is congruent with the relative hyperinsulinemia of the analyzed PCOS patients [50]
Summary
Abstract: miRNAs are small endogenous conserved non-coding RNA molecules that regulate posttranscriptional gene expression through mRNA degradation or translational inhibition, modulating nearly 60% of human genes. Cystic diseases are characterized by the presence of abnormal fluidfilled sacs in the body, and though most cysts are benign, they can grow inside tumors and turn malignant. Recent evidence has revealed that the aberrant expression of a number of miRNAs present in extracellular fluids, including plasma or serum, urine, saliva, follicular fluid, and semen, contribute to different cystic pathologies. This review aims to describe the role of different miRNAs in three worldwide relevant cystic diseases: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and pancreatic cyst tumors (PCTs), as well as their potential use as novel biomarkers.
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