Tear Fluid as a Source of Microrna Biomarkers in Ocular and Systemic Diseases

Authors

  • Nazmul Huda Syed, Embong Zunaina, Shahidan Wan-Nazatul-Shima, Ismail Shatriah

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA). They are known to regulate key cellular processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, inflammation, apoptosis, and cell development. Differential expression of miRNAs is correlated with various disease conditions. They exist as extracellular free-circulating miRNAs in body fluids as well as in extracellular vesicles (EV) such as exosomes. Tears are a non-invasive source of miRNAs that can be used to screen for ophthalmic and other systemic diseases. Tears are reported to have a high and diverse concentration of miRNAs and have been investigated recently as a biomarker source for various diseases. In this review, we attempt to summarise the miRNA isolation techniques for biomarker identification in tears and some disease-related miRNA biomarkers discovered in different health conditions. A literature review was conducted using the key words miRNA, tears, ocular diseases, and systemic diseases in the PubMed and Scopus databases for original studies involving miRNA analysis using tears in the last 10 years. Our review indicates that numerous miRNAs play an important role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of various diseases. MiRNA analysis of tear fluid has proven to be a promising method for learning more about disease pathogenesis and developing new diagnostic tools. Besides, biomarkers are promising targets for drug development because they can be used to monitor disease states or treatment responses and, as a result, improve patient care standards.

Published

2021-12-31

How to Cite

Nazmul Huda Syed, Embong Zunaina, Shahidan Wan-Nazatul-Shima, Ismail Shatriah. (2021). Tear Fluid as a Source of Microrna Biomarkers in Ocular and Systemic Diseases. Drugs and Cell Therapies in Hematology, 10(3), 840–850. Retrieved from http://dcth.org/index.php/journal/article/view/876

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Section

Articles