| Autor: |
Soffritti I; Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.; CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy., D'Accolti M; Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.; CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy., Bini F; Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.; CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy., Mazziga E; Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.; CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy., Di Luca D; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy., Maccari C; Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy., Arcangeletti MC; Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy., Caselli E; Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.; CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy. |
| Abstrakt: |
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA sequences that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They are involved in the regulation of multiple pathways, related to both physiological and pathological conditions, including autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Specifically, SSc is recognized as a complex and multifactorial disease, characterized by vascular abnormalities, immune dysfunction, and progressive fibrosis, affecting skin and internal organs. Among predisposing environmental triggers, evidence supports the roles of oxidative stress, chemical agents, and viral infections, mostly related to those sustained by beta-herpesviruses such as HCMV and HHV-6. Dysregulated levels of miRNA expression have been found in SSc patients compared to healthy controls, at both the intra- and extracellular levels, providing a sort of miRNA signature of the SSc disease. Notably, HCMV/HHV-6 viral infections were shown to modulate the miRNA profile, often superposing that observed in SSc, potentially promoting pathological pathways associated with SSc development. This review summarizes the main data regarding miRNA alterations in SSc disease, highlighting their potential as prognostic or diagnostic markers for SSc disease, and the impact of the putative SSc etiological agents on miRNA modulation. |
