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Review
. 2021 Jan 15:8:589985.
doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.589985. eCollection 2020.

The Impact of miRNAs in Health and Disease of Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Daniela Intartaglia  1 , Giuliana Giamundo  1 , Ivan Conte  1   2
Affiliations
Review

The Impact of miRNAs in Health and Disease of Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Daniela Intartaglia et al. Front Cell Dev Biol. .

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are essential key players in the control of biological processes in both physiological and pathological conditions. miRNAs play important roles in fine tuning the expression of many genes, which often have roles in common molecular networks. miRNA dysregulation thus renders cells vulnerable to aberrant fluctuations in genes, resulting in degenerative diseases. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of polarized pigmented epithelial cells that resides between the light-sensitive photoreceptors (PR) and the choriocapillaris. The demanding physiological functions of RPE cells require precise gene regulation for the maintenance of retinal homeostasis under stress conditions and the preservation of vision. Thus far, our understanding of how miRNAs function in the homeostasis and maintenance of the RPE has been poorly addressed, and advancing our knowledge is central to harnessing their potential as therapeutic agents to counteract visual impairment. This review focuses on the emerging roles of miRNAs in the function and health of the RPE and on the future exploration of miRNA-based therapeutic approaches to counteract blinding diseases.

Keywords: AMD; RPE differentiation; miR-204; miR-211; miRNAs; retinal pigment epithelium.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
MicroRNA (miRNA)-regulated gene networks involved in RPE specification and maintenance. Simplified schematic of a gene network regulating development, differentiation, and migration in RPE cells. Key genes in these processes, MITF, SOX9, and OTX2, are all regulated by specific miRNAs that modulate their expression profiles. The expression of multiple miRNAs increases and/or affects the processes of RPE differentiation, proliferation, and migration through the regulation of target gene mRNAs.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as modulators of RPE homeostasis. Several miRNAs have been demonstrated to influence the correct functioning of the RPE homeostatic machinery. Recognized miRNAs species associated to specific RPE functionality are shown with validated targets. BM, Bruch’s membrane; CV, choroidal vasculature.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Schematic view of miRNA regulation in RPE recycle. miRNAs have been demonstrated to function both as supporters of visual system and as important regulators of RPE homeostasis maintaining processes, phagocytosis, and autophagy.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Schematic view of miRNAs dysfunction in AMD. miRNAs have been demonstrated to play key roles in maintaining the structure and functionality of Bruch’s membrane and RPE cells. Incidence of drusen and neovascularization, fluid accumulation, and vascular leakage are often consequences of miRNAs dysfunction. In this scheme, we report examples of miRNAs dysregulation associated with AMD pathogenesis. BM, Bruch’s membrane; CV, choroidal vasculature.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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