MicroRNA在创伤性脑损伤的研究进展

MicroRNA是一类非编码小分子RNA,可调控人类基因组中20%-30%的基因,对细胞分化、增殖和凋亡起着重要调控作用。部分microRNA在哺乳动物中枢神经系统呈高水平表达,在神经元发育、突触发生和可塑性等过程中发挥关键作用,对认知功能亦有重要影响。创伤性脑损伤所致认知障碍的鉴定是法医学领域的重点及难点问题,识别其相关的特异性microRNA及其靶基因、阐明相应的信号传导通路对明确颅脑损伤的诊断、鉴别、预后及判断致伤机制、推断死因等方面可能均具有重要价值,应是今后的研究重点。本文简介microRNA在中枢神经系统中的分布与功能,对microRNA在创伤性脑损伤中所发挥的作用以及法医学研究进展做了重点阐述。

Advances of microRNAs in traumatic brain injury

MicroRNAs,a novel class of small non-coding RNA molecules,are important regulators of cell differentiation,proliferation and apoptosis.MicroRNAs target nearly 20% ~ 30% of human protein-coding genes.Several microRNAs are highly expressed in the mammalian central nervous system where they play key roles in neuronal differentiation,synaptogenesis and plasticity.It has been documented that microRNAs have a vital impact on cognitive function.Cognitive dysfunction is a common complication of traumatic brain injury and is becoming an important issue in forensic medicine.Future studies should focus on identifying the specific microRNAs and their target genes related to cognitive dysfunction following traumatic brain injury.This would improve the diagnosis,identification and prognosis assessment of traumatic brain injury and facilitate the deduction of death cause.This review discusses the distribution and effects of microRNAs in the brain and their potential roles in traumatic brain injury.