The role of the microRNA regulatory network in Alzheimer's disease: a bioinformatics analysis

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease which presents with an earlier onset age and increased symptom severity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between regulation of miRNAs and AD.Material and methodsWe completed the bioinformatic analysis of miRNAs-AD studies through multiple databases such as TargetScan, Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), FunRich and String and assessed which miRNAs are commonly elevated or decreased in brain tissues, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of AD. All identified articles were assessed using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsMiRNAs related to AD of twenty-eight studies were assessed in this study. A wide range of miRNAs were up-regulated or down-regulated in tissues of AD patient’s brain, blood and CSF. 27 differentially dysregulated miRNAs have identified involved in amyloidogenesis, inflammation, tau-phosphorylation, apoptosis, synaptogenesis, neurotrophism, neurons degradation, activates cell cycle entry. Additionally, our bioinformatics analysis identified the top ten functions of common miRNAs in candidate studies. The function of common up-regulated miRNAs primarily target nucleus and common down-regulated miRNAs primarily target transcription, DNA-templated.ConclusionsComprehensive analysis of all miRNAs studies reveals cooperation in miRNA signatures whether in brain tissues or in CSF and peripheral blood. More and more studies suggest that miRNAs may play crucial roles as diagnostic biomarkers and/or as new therapeutic targets in AD. According to biomarkers, we can identify the preclinical phase early that provides an important time-window for therapeutic intervention.