Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Kidney Int. 2012 Apr;81(7):617-27. doi: 10.1038/ki.2011.448. Epub 2012 Jan 11.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous short (20-22 nucleotides) non-coding RNA molecules that mediate gene expression. This is an important regulatory mechanism to modulate fundamental cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, death, metabolism, and pathophysiology of many diseases. The miRNA expression profile of the kidney differs greatly from that of other organs, as well as between the different regions in the kidney. In kidneys, miRNAs are indispensable for development and homeostasis. In this review, we explore the involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of blood pressure, hormone, water, and ion balance pertaining to kidney homeostasis. We also highlight their importance in renal pathophysiology, such as in polycystic disease, diabetic nephropathy, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, hypertension, renal cancer, and kidney fibrosis (epithelial-mesenchymal transition). In addition, we highlight the need for further investigations on miRNA-based studies in the development of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools for renal diseases.
微小 RNA（miRNA）是内源性短（20-22 个核苷酸）非编码 RNA 分子，可调节基因表达。这是一种重要的调控机制，可以调节分化、增殖、死亡、代谢和许多疾病的病理生理学等基本细胞过程。肾脏的 miRNA 表达谱与其他器官以及肾脏的不同区域有很大的不同。在肾脏中，miRNA 对于发育和内稳态是不可或缺的。在这篇综述中，我们探讨了 miRNA 在调节与肾脏内稳态相关的血压、激素、水和离子平衡中的作用。我们还强调了它们在肾脏病理生理学中的重要性，如多囊肾病、糖尿病肾病、肾性尿崩症、高血压、肾癌和肾脏纤维化（上皮-间充质转化）。此外，我们强调了需要进一步研究 miRNA 为基础的研究，以开发用于肾脏疾病的诊断、预后和治疗工具。
