MicroRNA在类风湿关节炎中的作用

The mechanism of microRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis

MicroRNA（miRNA）是一类新型保守的非编码单链小分子RNA，能够在转录后水平调节mRNA表达导致蛋白翻译抑制或促进靶mRNA降解。到目前为止，在生物界已发现5000多种miRNA，在miRBase所登记的miRNA数据库中仅人类就有千余种，预计人类有超过30％的蛋白编码基因受miR．NA调控。免疫细胞中表达多种miRNA，对固有免疫和适应性免疫的分子通路和细胞分化及功能有广泛的影响，其表达失调将导致免疫相关的疾病（如类风湿关节炎），因此研究miRNA对诊断各种疾病类型及预后有潜在临床应用价值。

MicroRNA （miRNA） are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene ex- pression at the post-transcriptional level. Currently, there are approximately 5 000 predicted miRNA in the hu- man genome that may regulate the expression of one third of our genes. By controlling the accumulation of the target protein（s） in cells, these regulatory RNA molecules participate in key functions in many physiological networks and their deregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of serious human disorders, such as cancer and infection. The implication of miRNA in immune-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis （RA） has recently emerged suggesting that miRNA-based therapeutic approaches may have a promising poten- tial in these diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the state of the art on miRNAs in RA, focusing on both systemic and local features of the pathology.