Interplay between brain-specific microRNAs and Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory decline and the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in the brain. While the precise cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains under investigation, recent research suggests that dysregulation of brain-specific microRNAs (miRs) plays a significant role in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Brain-specific miRs are predominantly expressed within the central nervous system and are crucial for neuronal development, and function, potentially in brain disorders. This review identifies some key brain-specific miRs in Alzheimer’s disease, including miR-9, miR-26b, miR-34a, miR-107, miR-124, miR-125b, miR-128, miR-132, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-219, miR-501-3p, and miR-502-3p. The review also shed light on the brain-specific location of these miRs, their dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease, and how they are involved in disease progression. Apparently, these brain-specific miRs modulate specific genes and are therefore crucial for various cellular processes, including autophagy, cell cycle, tau phosphorylation, amyloid-beta production, and neuroinflammation. Moreover, these miRs are potent disease-modifying factors and their expression levels could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing or monitoring Alzheimer’s disease progression.