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Review
. 2023 Sep 28;24(19):14699.
doi: 10.3390/ijms241914699.

miRNA Studies in Glaucoma: A Comprehensive Review of Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Margarita Dobrzycka  1 , Anetta Sulewska  2 , Przemyslaw Biecek  3 , Radoslaw Charkiewicz  4   5 , Piotr Karabowicz  5 , Angelika Charkiewicz  2 , Kinga Golaszewska  1 , Patrycja Milewska  5 , Anna Michalska-Falkowska  5 , Karolina Nowak  6 , Jacek Niklinski  2 , Joanna Konopińska  1
Affiliations
Review

miRNA Studies in Glaucoma: A Comprehensive Review of Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Margarita Dobrzycka et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to irreversible blindness, remains a challenge because of its complex nature. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression and are associated with glaucoma and other diseases. We aimed to review and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of miRNA-focused molecular studies in glaucoma through discussing their potential as biomarkers for early detection and diagnosis; offering insights into molecular pathways and mechanisms; and discussing their potential utility with respect to personalized medicine, their therapeutic potential, and non-invasive monitoring. Limitations, such as variability, small sample sizes, sample specificity, and limited accessibility to ocular tissues, are also addressed, underscoring the need for robust protocols and collaboration. Reproducibility and validation are crucial to establish the credibility of miRNA research findings, and the integration of bioinformatics tools for miRNA database creation is a valuable component of a comprehensive approach to investigate miRNA aberrations in patients with glaucoma. Overall, miRNA research in glaucoma has provided significant insights into the molecular mechanisms of the disease, offering potential biomarkers, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic targets. However, addressing challenges such as variability and limited tissue accessibility is essential, and further investigations and validation will contribute to a deeper understanding of the functional significance of miRNAs in glaucoma.

Keywords: glaucoma; liquid biopsy; miRNA; next-generation sequencing; personalized medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
miRNA biogenesis and the silencing mechanism.
Figure 2
Figure 2
miRNA profiling tools in glaucoma.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Advantages of miRNA studies in glaucoma.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Disadvantages of miRNA studies in glaucoma.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Typical miRNA sequencing bioinformatic pipeline scheme.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Integration of patient-centered database with generic biomarker databases. A patient database aggregates a variety of patient data and allows for associations between different characteristics and modalities to be determined (e.g., genetics with imaging). The biomarker database aggregates data on biomarkers identified in the literature and with prognostic signatures.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

The APC was funded by Medical University of Bialystok, Poland, B.SUB.23.507.