Abstract
Schwann cells (SCs) contribute to nerve repair following injury; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are short noncoding RNAs, have been shown to play a role in neuronal disease. In this work, we show that miRNAs regulate the peripheral nerve system by modulating the migration and proliferation of SCs. Thus, miRNAs expressed in peripheral nerves may provide a potential therapeutic target for peripheral nerve injury or repair.
Highlights
MicroRNAs are endogenous small noncoding RNAs that are present as RNA-duplex transcripts of approximately 22 nucleotides. miRNAs regulate mRNAs in eukaryotic cells [1]
The mature miRNA is loaded onto the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which modulates gene expression by binding via imperfect complementarity to the 3-untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, resulting in translational repression or degradation of the mRNA [6]. miRNAs are involved in diverse biological functions in aging [7, 8], cancer [9, 10], cell development [11, 12], and neuronal disease [13,14,15]
Krox20, myelin binding protein (MBP), and myelin protein zero (MPZ) levels are increased during development of the sciatic nerve while sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), Notch, and Jun act as negative regulators [22,23,24]
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNAs that are present as RNA-duplex transcripts of approximately 22 nucleotides. miRNAs regulate mRNAs in eukaryotic cells [1]. Schwann cells (SCs) are important in the development and maintenance of the peripheral nervous system. SCs exist in myelinating and nonmyelinating forms [6]. Mutations in SCs contribute to disease by reduction or gain of function of specific genes, such as peripheral myelin protein (PMP22) or myelin protein zero (MPZ) [18]. MBP, and MPZ levels are increased during development of the sciatic nerve while sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), Notch, and Jun act as negative regulators [22,23,24]. Following injury by nerve transection or crush, SCs undergo a demyelination process and myelin damage called Wallerian degeneration. The clearance of BioMed Research International myelin leads to axonal regeneration following peripheral nerve injury. Degeneration following nerve transection is more acute than following crush injury [26]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
