The role of microRNAs in equine medicine: a review.
Abstract: The search for new markers of diseases in human as well as veterinary medicine is ongoing. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have emerged as potential new biomarkers. MiRNAs are short sequences of RNA (∼22 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression via their target messenger RNA (mRNA). Circulating miRNAs in blood can be used as novel diagnostic markers for diseases due to their evolutionary conservation and stability. As a consequence of their systemic and manifold effects on the gene expression in various target organs, the concept that miRNAs could function as hormones has been suggested. This review summarizes the biogenesis, maturation, and stability of miRNAs and discusses their use as potential biomarkers in equine medicine. To date, over 700 equine miRNAs are identified with distinct subsets of miRNAs differentially expressed in a tissue-specific manner. A physiological involvement of various miRNAs in the regulation of cell survival, steroidogenesis, and differentiation during follicle selection and ovulation in the monovular equine ovary has been demonstrated. Furthermore, miRNAs might be used as novel diagnostic markers for myopathies such as polysaccharide storage myopathy and recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis as well as osteochondrosis. Preliminary data indicate that miRNAs in blood might play important roles in equine glucose metabolism pathway. Of note, breed differences have been reported regarding the normal equine miRNA signature. For disease prevention, it is of utmost importance to identify disease-associated biomarkers which help detect diseases before symptoms appear. As such, circulating miRNAs represent promising novel diagnostic markers in equine medicine.
Publication Date: 2015-03-24 PubMed ID: 25695624DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2015.1021186Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
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This research article presents an exploration into the use of microRNAs (miRNAs), short RNA sequences that regulate gene expression, as biomarkers for disease detection in horses. These miRNAs may also function like hormones due to their systemic effects on gene expression in different body organs. Over 700 miRNAs have been identified in horses, with some showing great promise as diagnostic markers for myopathies and metabolic conditions.
Biogenesis, Maturation, and Stability of miRNAs
- The review covers the life cycle of miRNAs, from their creation to their final mature form.
- miRNAs are noted for their stability, which makes them reliable markers in blood tests.
- These RNA sequences regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs), making them key players in cellular function and response to disease.
miRNAs as Biomarkers in Equine Medicine
- The variety and specificity of miRNAs makes them ripe for exploration as novel biomarkers in veterinary medicine, particularly for equine diseases.
- The study identifies over 700 unique miRNAs in horses, some of which show distinct expression patterns depending on the tissue type.
- In addition, the research finds connections between miRNAs and various equine physiological processes like cell survival, steroidogenesis, follicle selection, and ovulation.
miRNAs in Equine Disease Diagnosis and Metabolism
- Specific miRNAs are proposed as diagnostic tools for equine myopathies, including polysaccharide storage myopathy and recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis, and developmental conditions like osteochondrosis.
- The article also discusses preliminary findings that suggest miRNAs may play a substantial role in equine glucose metabolism.
Breed Differences in miRNA Signatures
- There are noted differences in the normal miRNA profiles between different horse breeds.
- Recognizing these differences is key to developing accurate, breed-specific diagnostic tools.
Implications for Disease Prevention
- By identifying disease-associated biomarkers, veterinarians can potentially detect diseases before symptoms appear, leading to more effective treatments and better health outcomes for horses.
- Circulating miRNAs prove to be promising in this regard, opening new avenues for preventive equine medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
van der Kolk JH, Pacholewska A, Gerber V.
(2015).
The role of microRNAs in equine medicine: a review.
Vet Q, 35(2), 88-96.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2015.1021186 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- a Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, Swiss Institute for Equine Medicine (ISME) , University of Bern and Agroscope , Länggassstrasse 124, 3012 Bern , Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomarkers / blood
- Fertility / physiology
- Gene Expression
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horses
- Humans
- MicroRNAs / blood
- MicroRNAs / genetics
- MicroRNAs / metabolism
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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