Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Current studies have shown that miRNAs are also present in extracellular spaces, packaged into various membrane-bound vesicles, or associated with RNA-binding proteins. Circulating miRNAs are highly stable and can act as intercellular messengers to affect many physiological processes. MicroRNAs circulating in body fluids have generated strong interest in their potential use as clinical biomarkers. In fact, their remarkable stability and the relative ease of detection make circulating miRNAs ideal tools for rapid and non-invasive diagnosis. This review summarizes recent insights about the origin, functions and diagnostic potential of extracellular miRNAs by especially focusing on pediatric diseases in order to explore the feasibility of alternative sampling sources for the development of non-invasive pediatric diagnostics. We will also discuss specific bioinformatics tools and databases for circulating miRNAs focused on the identification and discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers of pediatric diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 234 |
| Journal | Genes |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 19 2017 |
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Keywords
- Bioinformatics tools
- Biomarkers
- Body fluids
- Circulating microRNAs
- Pediatric diseases
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics
- Genetics(clinical)
Cite this
Circulating microRNAs and bioinformatics tools to discover novel diagnostic biomarkers of pediatric diseases. / Baldassarre, Antonella; Felli, Cristina; Prantera, Giorgio; Masotti, Andrea.
In: Genes, Vol. 8, No. 9, 234, 19.09.2017.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Circulating microRNAs and bioinformatics tools to discover novel diagnostic biomarkers of pediatric diseases
AU - Baldassarre, Antonella
AU - Felli, Cristina
AU - Prantera, Giorgio
AU - Masotti, Andrea
PY - 2017/9/19
Y1 - 2017/9/19
N2 - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Current studies have shown that miRNAs are also present in extracellular spaces, packaged into various membrane-bound vesicles, or associated with RNA-binding proteins. Circulating miRNAs are highly stable and can act as intercellular messengers to affect many physiological processes. MicroRNAs circulating in body fluids have generated strong interest in their potential use as clinical biomarkers. In fact, their remarkable stability and the relative ease of detection make circulating miRNAs ideal tools for rapid and non-invasive diagnosis. This review summarizes recent insights about the origin, functions and diagnostic potential of extracellular miRNAs by especially focusing on pediatric diseases in order to explore the feasibility of alternative sampling sources for the development of non-invasive pediatric diagnostics. We will also discuss specific bioinformatics tools and databases for circulating miRNAs focused on the identification and discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers of pediatric diseases.
AB - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Current studies have shown that miRNAs are also present in extracellular spaces, packaged into various membrane-bound vesicles, or associated with RNA-binding proteins. Circulating miRNAs are highly stable and can act as intercellular messengers to affect many physiological processes. MicroRNAs circulating in body fluids have generated strong interest in their potential use as clinical biomarkers. In fact, their remarkable stability and the relative ease of detection make circulating miRNAs ideal tools for rapid and non-invasive diagnosis. This review summarizes recent insights about the origin, functions and diagnostic potential of extracellular miRNAs by especially focusing on pediatric diseases in order to explore the feasibility of alternative sampling sources for the development of non-invasive pediatric diagnostics. We will also discuss specific bioinformatics tools and databases for circulating miRNAs focused on the identification and discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers of pediatric diseases.
KW - Bioinformatics tools
KW - Biomarkers
KW - Body fluids
KW - Circulating microRNAs
KW - Pediatric diseases
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029147491&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85029147491&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/genes8090234
DO - 10.3390/genes8090234
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85029147491
VL - 8
JO - Genes
JF - Genes
SN - 2073-4425
IS - 9
M1 - 234
ER -