(WHS-P35) EXPLORING MICRORNA-MEDIATED PATHWAYS IN WOUND HEALING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC VENOUS LEG ULCERS
Friday, May 17, 2024
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Purpose of the Study: The incidence of Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers (CVLU) is escalating among the adult and elderly population, posing a substantial burden on patients and the healthcare system due to its high recurrence rate and chronicity. This literature review aims to explore the influence of microRNAs associated with wound healing in CVLU patients.
Methods: A comprehensive search on PubMed and EMBASE was conducted in October 2023 to identify studies analyzing microRNAs involved in CVLU wound healing. Ninety-six records published in English over the past decade were retrieved, leading to the selection of 13 studies for full-text review. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, five studies were chosen for detailed analysis.
Results: Biopsy samples from 56 CVLU patients and one sample from adipose tissue were collected, alongside three studies utilizing wound samples from healthy volunteers for comparison. Overexpression of miR-221, miR-222, miR-92a, and miR-301a-3p was found to negatively impact angiogenesis. Conversely, miR-296 overexpression upregulated VEGR2 expression, facilitating angiogenesis. MiR-301a-3p upregulation exacerbated vascular endothelial cell damage by targeting IGF1, mediating inflammatory responses, increasing HUVEC apoptosis, and elevating oxidative stress, ultimately impairing wound healing. Additionally, miR-19a/b and miR-20 upregulation were associated with downregulation of keratinocytes' inflammatory response via the NF-kB signaling pathway, restoring wound healing in vitro and in vivo using an animal model. Conversely, miR-34a and miR-34c upregulation impaired wound healing by enhancing keratinocytes' inflammatory response through the miR-34-LGR4 axis.
Conclusion: MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in regulating angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, cell migration, and wound healing. Identifying specific microRNAs and their target pathways offers valuable insights, guiding researchers towards potential therapeutic targets for treating chronic venous leg ulcers.