microRNAs在年龄相关性黄斑变性发病机制中的研究进展

The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration

年龄相关性黄斑变性(age-related macular degeneration,AMD)是引起老年人中心视力丧失和生活质量降低的主要疾病之一,其逐渐增加的患病率将成为我国未来严重的公共卫生问题。有研究发现,除外在生活环境及内在免疫遗传因素,微小RNA(microRNAs,miRNAs)是参与AMD发病机制中人类基因表达的关键调节因子,其序列的突变或表达的失调可能导致AMD的病理生理学改变。本文就miRNAs在AMD中的发病机制中的作用进行综述。

Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is the leading cause of central vision loss in the elderly.The disease has a profound effect on quality of life of affected individuals and represents a serious public health problem in China because of its increasing prevalence.Studies have found that,in addition to living environment and immune genetic factors,microRNAs(miRNAs)are key regulators of human gene expression involved in the pathogenesis of AMD.Mutations or dysregulation of expression of miRNAs can lead to the pathophysiological changes of AMD.This article reviews the roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of AMD.