Abstract:

Chronic wounds represent a significant burden to patients, health care professionals, and the health care system. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as a novel class of gene expression modulators involved in regulation of multiple biological processes, including development, differentiation, organogenesis, inflammation, cell proliferation, growth control, and apoptosis. Importantly, aberrant expression or activity of miRNAs can lead to a disease state. However, the role of miRNAs in chronic wounds remains to be elucidated. This article reviews available literature on the role of miRNAs in a range of processes important for successful wound healing including epidermal differentiation and proliferation, inflammation and angiogenesis. The potential role of miRNAs in normal wound healing and their contribution to chronic wound pathology has been anticipated. The prospective use of miRNAs as markers for surgical debridement, and as novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for chronic wounds is also discussed.

Authors:

Irena Pastar, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of, Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, Horacio Ramirez, BS, Graduate Student, Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of, Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, PIBS, Human Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, Olivera Stojadinovic, MD, Research Assistant Professor, Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School, of Medicine, Miami, Florida, Harold Brem, MD, Professor and Chief, Division of Wound Healing and Regenerative , Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, New York, Robert S. Kirsner, MD, PhD, Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, Marjana Tomic-Canic, PhD, Professor and Director, Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, Florida

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