A new article published in Cells stated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate the gene expression at a post-transcriptional level and participate in maintaining the correct cell homeostasis and functioning.

The authors reported that different specific profiles have been identified in lesional skin from autoimmune cutaneous diseases, and their deregulation cause aberrant control of biological pathways contributing to pathogenic conditions. Detailed knowledge of microRNA-affected pathways is of crucial importance for understating their role in skin autoimmune diseases. They may be promising therapeutic targets with novel clinical implications. They are not only present in skin tissue, but they have also been found in other biological fluids, such as serum, plasma and urine, and therefore, they are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment.

Source: Cells. 2020 Dec 10;9(12):E2656. doi: 10.3390/cells9122656.