The skin is the largest organ of the integumentary system and possesses a vast number of functions. Due to the distinct layers of the skin and the variety of cells which populate each, a tightly regulated network of molecular signals control development and regeneration, whether due to programmed cell termination or injury. MicroRNAs (miRs) are a relatively recent discovery; they are a class of small non-coding RNAs which possess a multitude of biological functions due to their ability to regulate gene expression via post-transcriptional gene silencing. Of interest, is that a plethora of data demonstrates that a number of miRs are highly expressed within the skin, and are evidently key regulators of numerous vital processes to maintain non-aberrant functioning. Recently, miRs have been targeted as therapeutic interventions due to the ability of synthetic ‘antagomiRs’ to down-regulate abnormal miR expression, thereby potentiating wound healing and attenuating fibrotic processes which can contribute to disease such as systemic sclerosis (SSc). This review will provide an introduction to the structure and function of the skin and miR biogenesis, before summarizing the literature pertaining to the role of miRs. Finally, miR therapies will also be discussed, highlighting important future areas of research.
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August 2017
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Human vascular smooth muscle cell derived from a skin precursor. Subjects with type-2 diabetes have fewer skin-derived precursors in their skin. Vascular smooth muscle cells derived from skin-derived precursors from subjects with type-2 diabetes carry persistent signatures of disease even weeks after being removed from the patient. Thus, skin-derived precursors may be a promising platform to study type-2 diabetes associated vascular disease in a dish. In Clinical Science volume 131, issue 15, Steinbach et al. describe new approach to studying human vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) pathophysiology by examining VSMCs differentiated from progenitors found in skin (see pages 1801-1814).
Review Article|
July 13 2017
MicroRNAs in the skin: role in development, homoeostasis and regeneration
Steven Horsburgh;
Steven Horsburgh
1Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, U.K.
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Nicola Fullard;
Nicola Fullard
2School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
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Mathilde Roger;
Mathilde Roger
2School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
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Abbie Degnan;
Abbie Degnan
1Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, U.K.
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Stephen Todryk;
Stephen Todryk
1Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, U.K.
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Stefan Przyborski;
Stefan Przyborski
2School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
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Steven O’Reilly
1Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, U.K.
Correspondence: Steven O’Reilly (steven.oreilly@northumbria.ac.uk)
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
January 13 2017
Revision Received:
April 20 2017
Accepted:
May 02 2017
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© 2017 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2017
Clin Sci (Lond) (2017) 131 (15): 1923–1940.
Article history
Received:
January 13 2017
Revision Received:
April 20 2017
Accepted:
May 02 2017
Citation
Steven Horsburgh, Nicola Fullard, Mathilde Roger, Abbie Degnan, Stephen Todryk, Stefan Przyborski, Steven O’Reilly; MicroRNAs in the skin: role in development, homoeostasis and regeneration. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 August 2017; 131 (15): 1923–1940. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20170039
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