Nanomedicine in Psychiatry: New Therapeutic Opportunities from Research on Small RNAs

Abstract

Preclinical Research Alterations in small non-coding RNAs have been observed in many human disease states including cancer, cardiovascular, developmental, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. These molecules have recently raised the interest of the scientific community for novel therapeutic approaches. Nanotechnologies, including the development of sophisticated nanoparticles, offer new ways for the delivery of small RNA-based therapies. The nanoparticle delivery method appears attractive, but so far most of the work in this area has been conducted in the context of cancer. New therapeutic strategies are needed for psychiatric disorders, where treatment is often ineffective, leading to frequent patient hospitalizations and a growing economic burden. In this article, we discuss the role of small RNAs in psychiatric diseases and how this new knowledge, combined with innovations in nanotechnologies, could lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Drug Dev Res 77 : 453-457, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Schizophrenia‑associated microRNA‑148b‑3p regulates COMT and PRSS16 expression by targeting the ZNF804A gene in human neuroblastoma cells

“…Micrornas (mirnas/mirs), a class of endogenous non-coding single-strand rnas that are 9-23 nucleotides in length, are of interest as key transcriptional regulators of ~1/2 of human genes (8). Moreover, genetic variants in the human MIR137 gene locus increase schizophrenia risk and have Schizophrenia-associated microRNA-148b-3p regulates COMT and PRSS16 expression by targeting the ZNF804A gene in human neuroblastoma cells genome-wide significance (9).…”

Evaluation of serum MicroRNA expression profiles in patients with panic disorder

“…miRNAs, which are typically 20-25 nucleotides long, have a key role in the post-transcriptional regulation of approximately 50% of all protein-coding genes [12]. miRNAs regulate protein synthesis posttranscriptionally, before or during the ribosomal translation process, by base pairing to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and either repress translation or induce mRNA degradation [13].…”

MicroRNAs as CNS Drug Targets

“…Other reviews discuss the antidepressant potential of S‐adenosyl methionine [Karas, ], the anticonvulsant activities of new hydrazide/hydrazone derivatives [Angelova et al, ], and the promise and pitfalls of multifunctional molecules in psychotropic disorders [Milelli et al, ]. In this editorial, I briefly discuss the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as novel psychotropic drug targets; this topic is discussed in more depth by Milanesi et al [] in the current issue of Drug Development Research .…”

“…MiRNAs are key transcriptional regulators of around half of human genes [Mor and Shomron, ; Milanesi et al, ]. While the role of intracellularly produced miRNAs for modulation of mRNA stability and thereby of transcription has been recognized since over two decades, recent evidence suggests expands their scope as cellular regulators to include intercellular communication.…”