Advancing Ischemic Stroke Prognosis: Key Role of MiR-155 Non-Coding RNA

Abstract

Ischemic stroke (IS) is the leading cause of long-term disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. It remains a significant clinical problem because only supportive therapies exist, such as thrombolytic agents and surgical thrombectomy, which do not restore function. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of IS, including dysfunction in oxidative homeostasis, apoptosis, neuroinflammation and neuroprotection, is crucial to developing therapies. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are master regulators, and one ncRNA that stands out is miR-155, a pro-inflammatory micro-RNA elevated in stroke. This review addresses the biological mechanisms reported in the literature that support using miR-155 as a biomarker and therapeutic agent to treat IS in patients.