MicroRNAs expression and function in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (18 ~ 25 nt) noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules that act as negative regulators of gene expression and modulating the stability and/or the translational efficiency of target messenger RNAs. Studies have shown that miRNAs control diverse aspects of brain disease. Recently, several studies have suggested that miRNAs alter the response to ischemia reperfusion injury and regulate the expression of various key elements in cell survival and apoptosis. This review article gives a brief overview of some miRNAs (miR-15a/b, miR-21, miR-29b/c, miR-124, miR-145, miR-181, miR-200 family, miR-338, miR-422a, miR-497, and miR let 7 family) in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. Although miRNAs could be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ischemia reperfusion injury, their safety and other limitations need further confirmation.