Clinical and immunological aspects of microRNAs in neonatal sepsis

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2022-01, Vol.145, p.112444-112444, Article 112444
• Main Authors: Fatmi, Ahlam, Chabni, Nafissa, Cernada, María, Vento, Máximo, González-López, María, Aribi, Mourad, Pallardó, Federico V., García-Giménez, José Luis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - metabolism; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetic changes; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Immunity; Infant, Newborn; Inflammation; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; Neonatal sepsis; Neonatal Sepsis - diagnosis; Neonatal Sepsis - genetics; Neonatal Sepsis - immunology; Prognosis
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112444

Neonatal sepsis constitutes a highly relevant public health challenge and is the most common cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that during infection epigenetic changes may occur leading to reprogramming of gene expression. Post-transcriptional regulation by short non-coding RNAs (e.g., microRNAs) have recently acquired special relevance because of their role in the regulation of the pathophysiology of sepsis and their potential clinical use as biomarkers. ~22-nucleotide of microRNAs are not only involved in regulating multiple relevant cellular and molecular functions, such as immune cell function and inflammatory response, but have also been proposed as good candidates as biomarkers in sepsis. Nevertheless, establishing clinical practice guidelines based on microRNA patterns as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in neonatal sepsis has yet to be achieved. Given their differential expression across tissues in neonates, the release of specific microRNAs to blood and their expression pattern can differ compared to sepsis in adult patients. Further in-depth research is necessary to fully understand the biological relevance of microRNAs and assess their potential use in clinical settings. This review provides a general overview of microRNAs, their structure, function and biogenesis before exploring their potential clinical interest as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of neonatal sepsis. An important part of the review is focused on immune and inflammatory aspects of selected microRNAs that may become biomarkers for clinical use and therapeutic intervention. [Display omitted] •Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of death and disability in newborns.•microRNAs participate in inflammatory and immune-related pathways during neonatal sepsis and can be used as biomarkers.•miR-26a, miR-15a and miR-16 are potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.•miR-23b is a biomarker candidate for monitoring neonatal sepsis progression and prediction of fatal outcomes.•miR-142–3p and let-7 g can set the basis for future neonatal sepsis epitherapy.