Oxidative Stress and MicroRNA Interactions in Cellular Pathophysiology
Summary
Oxidative stress arises when the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelms endogenous antioxidant defences, leading to damage of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. This redox imbalance contributes to a wide range of pathologies including cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA regulators that fine-tune gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs for degradation or translational repression. In recent years, a subset of miRNAs termed redoximiRs has emerged as both sensors and effectors of oxidative stress, modulating pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy and mitochondrial metabolism. Conversely, oxidative stress can alter miRNA biogenesis at key steps mediated by Exportin-5 and Dicer, resulting in a feed-forward loop that amplifies cellular dysfunction. Understanding this intricate interplay has broad implications for the identification of novel biomarkers, the design of antioxidant therapies and the development of miRNA-based interventions aimed at restoring redox homeostasis.
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Oxidative Stress and MicroRNA Interactions in Cellular Pathophysiology publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in oxidative stress and microrna interactions in cellular pathophysiology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can damage cellular structures if unbalanced.
Oxidative stress: imbalance between ROS generation and antioxidant defences leading to molecular damage.
MicroRNA (miRNA): short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.
RedoximiR: miRNA whose expression is sensitive to cellular redox state and that modulates oxidative stress responses.
Biogenesis: the cellular process by which miRNAs are transcribed, processed and matured, involving Exportin-5 and Dicer enzymes.
Hypoxia: condition of reduced oxygen availability that influences redox balance and miRNA pathways.
References
- Altered MicroRNA Maturation in Ischemic Hearts: Implication of Hypoxia on XPO5 and DICER1 Dysregulation and RedoximiR State. Antioxidants (2023).
- Oxidative Stress-Responsive MicroRNAs in Heart Injury. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020).
- MicroRNA and ROS Crosstalk in Cardiac and Pulmonary Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020).
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