Roles of MicroRNA-21 in Skin Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review

• Published in: Frontiers in pharmacology 2022-02, Vol.13, p.828627-828627
• Main Authors: Xie, Jie, Wu, Weizhou, Zheng, Liying, Lin, Xuesong, Tai, Yuncheng, Wang, Yajie, Wang, Le
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: function; mechanism; MicroRNA-21; Pharmacology; target; wound healing
• ISSN: 1663-9812; 1663-9812
• DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.828627

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21), one of the early mammalian miRNAs identified, has been detected to be upregulated in multiple biological processes. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the potential values of miR-21 in cutaneous damage and skin wound healing, but lack of a review article to summarize the current evidence on this issue. Based on this review, relevant studies demonstrated that miR-21 played an essential role in wound healing by constituting a complex network with its targeted genes (i.e., PTEN, RECK. SPRY1/2, NF-κB, and TIMP3) and the cascaded signaling pathways (i.e., MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin/MMP-7, and TGF-β/Smad7-Smad2/3). The treatment effectiveness developed by miR-21 might be associated with the promotion of the fibroblast differentiation, the improvement of angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, enhancement of the collagen synthesis, and the re-epithelialization of the wound. Currently, miRNA nanocarrier systems have been developed, supporting the feasibility clinical feasibility of such miR-21-based therapy. After further investigations, miR-21 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for wound healing.