Regulatory roles of noncoding RNAs in intervertebral disc degeneration as potential therapeutic targets (Review)

Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the leading cause of lower back pain, which is one of the primary factors that lead to disability and pose a serious economic burden.The key pathological processes involved are extracellular matrix degradation, autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammation of nucleus pulposus cells. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, long ncRNAs and circular RNAs, are key regulators of the aforementioned processes. ncRNAs are differentially expressed in tissues of the intervertebral disc between healthy individuals and patients and participate in the pathological progression of IDD via a complex pattern of gene regulation. However, the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs in IDD remain unclear. The present review summarizes the latest insights into the regulatory role of ncRNAs in IDD and sheds light on potentially novel therapeutic strategies for IDD that may be implemented in the future. Contents1. Introduction 2. ncRNAs in ECM degradation 3. ncRNAs in autophagy and apoptosis 4. ncRNAs in inflammation 5. Conclusion

Biomarkers for intervertebral disc and associated back pain: From diagnosis to disease prognosis and personalized treatment

“…Table 4). [78][79][80][81] Only 1% of the genome is known to be involved in protein translation, leaving around 70%-90% to noncoding transcripts, known as ncRNAs. These ncRNAs have a key role in the regulation of biological events and depending on their size, are called miRNAs, small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or lncRNAs (>200 nucleotides).…”

“…Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been explored more recently as targets/candidates for IVD associated pathologies, namely, micro (mi)RNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs; Table 4 ). 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 Only 1% of the genome is known to be involved in protein translation, leaving around 70%–90% to noncoding transcripts, known as ncRNAs. These ncRNAs have a key role in the regulation of biological events and depending on their size, are called miRNAs, small‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or lncRNAs (>200 nucleotides).…”

Editorial: Immunological imbalance: What is its role in intervertebral disc degeneration?

“…Micro RNA (miRNA) research belongs into the most important and fast growing research areas of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The field of miRNA is surely one of the most promising research areas for the identification of future therapies ( Guo et al, 2023 ).…”

Differential efficacy of two small molecule PHLPP inhibitors to promote nucleus Pulposus cell health

“…2,3 Current treatment modalities for IVD degeneration rely on surgeries that can only temporarily ameliorate clinical symptoms. New treatment approaches are under investigation aiming to alleviate painful symptoms as well as to regenerate or heal degenerated and injured IVDs, such as tissue engineering, 4,5 gene therapy, 6,7 cell-based therapy, 8 non-coding RNA therapy, 9 and small molecule-based therapy. 10 IVDs are comprised of a central gelatinous proteoglycan-rich nucleus pulposus (NP), a fibrocartilaginous annulus fibrosus that encases the hydrated NP at the periphery, and two cartilaginous endplates connected to the adjacent vertebral bodies superiorly and inferiorly.…”

“… 2 , 3 Current treatment modalities for IVD degeneration rely on surgeries that can only temporarily ameliorate clinical symptoms. New treatment approaches are under investigation aiming to alleviate painful symptoms as well as to regenerate or heal degenerated and injured IVDs, such as tissue engineering, 4 , 5 gene therapy, 6 , 7 cell‐based therapy, 8 non‐coding RNA therapy, 9 and small molecule‐based therapy. 10 …”