The etiological roles of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in neuropathic pain: A narrative review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in neuropathic pain development. Herein, we systematically searched for neuropathic pain-related ncRNAs expression changes, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular non-coding RNAs (circRNAs).

METHODS:

We searched two databases, PubMed and GeenMedical, for relevant studies.

RESULTS:

Peripheral nerve injury or noxious stimuli can induce extensive changes in the expression of ncRNAs. For example, higher serum miR-132-3p, -146b-5p, and -384 was observed in neuropathic pain patients. Either sciatic nerve ligation, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) transaction, or ventral root transection (VRT) could upregulate miR-21 and miR-31 while downregulating miR-668 and miR-672 in the injured DRG. lncRNAs, such as early growth response 2-antisense-RNA (Egr2-AS-RNA) and Kcna2-AS-RNA, were upregulated in Schwann cells and inflicted DRG after nerve injury, respectively. Dysregulated circRNA homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 3 (circHIPK3) in serum and the DRG, abnormally expressed lncRNAs X-inactive specific transcript (XIST), nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1), as well as ciRS-7, zinc finger protein 609 (cirZNF609), circ_0005075, and circAnks1a in the spinal cord were suggested to participate in neuropathic pain development. Dysregulated miRNAs contribute to neuropathic pain via neuroinflammation, autophagy, abnormal ion channel expression, regulating pain-related mediators, protein kinases, structural proteins, neurotransmission excitatory-inhibitory imbalances, or exosome miRNA-mediated neuron-glia communication. In addition, lncRNAs and circRNAs are essential in neuropathic pain by acting as antisense RNA and miRNA sponges, epigenetically regulating pain-related molecules expression, or modulating miRNA processing.

CONCLUSIONS:

Numerous dysregulated ncRNAs have been suggested to participate in neuropathic pain development. However, there is much work to be done before ncRNA-based analgesics can be clinically used for various reasons such as conservation among species, proper delivery, stability, and off-target effects.

• Authors: Ming Jiang, Yelong Wang, Jing Wang, Shanwu Feng, Xian Wang
• Journal: Journal of clinical laboratory analysis (J Clin Lab Anal) Vol. 36 Issue 8 Pg. e24592 (Aug 2022) ISSN: 1098-2825 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35808924 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Chemical References

• MicroRNAs
• RNA, Circular
• RNA, Long Noncoding

Topics

• Ganglia, Spinal
• Humans
• MicroRNAs (genetics, metabolism)
• Neuralgia (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA, Circular (genetics)
• RNA, Long Noncoding (genetics, metabolism)