International Review of Ophthalmology ›› 2013, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (4): 274-279.doi: 103706/ cma.j.issn.16735803201304013

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Retinal microRNAs and their roles in retinal diseases

JIN Xiao-liang, LV-Li-xia, XU Guo-tong   

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
  • Received:2012-12-10 Online:2013-08-22 Published:2013-09-03
  • Contact: XU Guo-tong, Email: gtxu@tongji.edu.cn E-mail:gtxu@tongji.edu.cn

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs involved in gene expression regulation. The miRNA expression is tissuespecific, and involved in many biological processes, such as development, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that some miRNAs preferably express in different cell layers of retinas. Although there are no direct evidence, those differentially expressed miRNAs in retina may tightly participate pathogenesis and progression of some retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). This review focuses on the substantial research progress in retinalspecific miRNA and their relationship with retinal diseases, and further discusses the therapeutic potentials of miRNAs in retinal diseases.