Peripheral biomarkers of stroke: Focus on circulatory microRNAs

Abstract

Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world. Stroke occurs when blood flow stops, and that stoppage results in reduced oxygen supply to neurons in the brain. The occurrence of stroke increases with age, but anyone at any age can suffer from stroke. Recent research has implicated multiple cellular changes in stroke patients, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory responses, and changes in mRNA and proteins. Recent research has also revealed that stroke is associated with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Stroke can be controlled by modifiable risk factors, including diet, cardiovascular, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression and traumatic brain injury. Stroke is the major risk factor for vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of this article is to review the latest developments in research efforts directed at identifying 1) latest developments in identifying biomarkers in peripheral and central nervous system tissues, 2) changes in microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with stroke, 3) miRNA profile and function in animal brain, and 4) protein biomarkers in ischemic stroke. This article also reviews research investigating circulatory miRNAs as peripheral biomarkers of stroke.

Upregulated Serum MiR-146b Serves as a Biomarker for Acute Ischemic Stroke

“…MiRNAs are a class of naturally occurring short non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of a wide range of genes and play an important role in various biological functions including cell differentiation, development, immune responses, metabolism, and carcinogenesis [8][9][10]. Prior studies indicate miRNA are dysregulated in the blood and brain of rodent ischemic stroke [11][12][13][14]. In addition, several miRNAs including miR-21, miR-210 and miR-223, et al were reported as the biomarkers for ischemia stroke [15][16][17][18][19].…”

Are microRNAs true sensors of ageing and cellular senescence?

“…MiR-208a can be seen very rapidly in the bloodstream after AMI, providing a quick diagnostic tool (Wang et al, 2010). Several studies have found circulating miRNAs change following stroke in humans (Vijayan et al, 2016). In atherosclerosis, administering miR-126 apoptotic bodies leads to improved vasculature by increasing the production of chemokine CXCL12, leading to increased migration of endothelial progenitor cells to the impacted area (Zernecke et al, 2009).…”

Diagnosis of Hyperacute and Acute Ischaemic Stroke: The Potential Utility of Exosomal MicroRNA-21-5p and MicroRNA-30a-5p

“…It has been demonstrated that a number of proteins, such as calcium binding protein B (S100B), myelin basic protein, neuron-specific enolase, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, are related to ischaemic injury. Hundreds of genes may have an impact on stroke pathogenesis or are associated with risk factors [8]. However, their specificity and ability to distinguish among different phases of stroke, especially the hyperacute phase, or symptoms resembling stroke is uncertain [9].…”