NeurimmiRs: microRNAs in the neuroimmune interface.

Abstract

Recent reports of microRNA (miR) modulators of both neuronal and immune processes (here termed NeurimmiRs) predict therapeutic potential for manipulating NeurimmiR levels in diseases affecting both the immune system and higher brain functions, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS) and anxiety-related disorders. In our opinion, NeurimmiRs that function within both the nervous and the immune systems, such as miR-132 and miR-124, may act as 'negotiators' between these two interacting compartments. We suggest that NeurimmiRs primarily target transcriptional or other regulatory genes, which enables modulation of both immune and cognitive processes through direct or indirect alterations of neuron-glia and/or brain-to-body signaling. Thus, manipulating NeurimmiR control over the immune contributions to cognitive pathways may offer new therapeutic targets.

• Authors: Hermona Soreq, Yochai Wolf
• Journal: Trends in molecular medicine (Trends Mol Med) Vol. 17 Issue 10 Pg. 548-55 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1471-499X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21813326 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• MicroRNAs

Topics

• Alzheimer Disease (genetics, immunology)
• Animals
• Brain (immunology, metabolism)
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Humans
• Inflammation (genetics, immunology)
• MicroRNAs (genetics, immunology)
• Multiple Sclerosis (genetics, immunology)
• Neurons (immunology, metabolism)
• Parkinson Disease (genetics, immunology)
• Signal Transduction