Harnessing Extracellular microRNAs for Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Acute Systemic Inflammation

Abstract

Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small sequences of genetic materials that are primarily transcribed from the intronic regions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNAs), and they are pivotal in regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. miRNAs were first discovered to regulate mRNAs of the same cell in which they were transcribed. Recent studies have unveiled their ability to traverse cells, either encapsulated in vesicles or freely bound to proteins, influencing distant recipient cells. Activities of extracellular miRNAs have been observed during acute inflammation in clinically relevant pathologies, such as sepsis, shock, trauma, and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. This review comprehensively explores the activity of miRNAs during acute inflammation as well as the mechanisms of their extracellular transport and activity. Evaluating the potential of extracellular miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in acute inflammation represents a critical aspect of this review. Finally, this review concludes with novel concepts of miRNA activity in the context of alleviating inflammation, delivering potential future directions to advance the field of miRNA therapeutics.