miR-146a Regulates Neuroinflammation and Immune Cell Function in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are characterized primarily by progressive impairments in cognition, behavior, and memory. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are abundantly expressed in the central nervous system and are vital for the normal function and survival of neurons. Mature miRNAs are naturally occurring small noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules that are approximately 21–25 nucleotides in length. They regulate gene expression by pairing with target mRNAs and undergo significant alterations in various physiological and pathological processes. miR-146a, a miRNA dependent on nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), is highly expressed in neurons and functions as an anti-inflammatory miRNA via the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway, which is an essential regulatory factor for neuroinflammation expression during the development of NDDs. In this review, we summarize and emphasize the pivotal role of miR-146a in NDDs, highlighting the association between miR-146a polymorphisms and the risk of NDDs. We also discuss how alterations in miR-146a expression levels represent a critical event in the pathogenesis of numerous NDDs. Furthermore, the target genes of miR-146a are involved in regulating the pathophysiological processes of these diseases, particularly in the context of neuroinflammatory responses. In conclusion, miR-146a plays a central role in the progression of NDDs, with its primary function in neuroinflammation. These findings suggest that miR-146a holds promise as both a biomarker and a potential therapeutic target. A deeper understanding of how miR-146a influences neuroinflammatory responses across different types of neurological damage, cell types, and even various stages of certain NDDs will pave the way for its use as a therapeutic target in treating these conditions. Therefore, this article reviews the mechanism of miR-146a in NDDs and discusses the future therapeutic prospects for this type of disease. miR-146a regulates the related genes of the inflammatory signaling pathway and its influence on the development of NDDs. (Created in https://BioRender.com).