• The Study of the Role of RNA Family in Multiple Sclerosis
  • Zahra Ebrahimi Arazi,1,* Mohammadali Eslamizade,2
    1. Department of Biology, Factually of Engineering and Sciences, University of Science and Art, Yazd, Iran
    2. Department of Biology, Factually of Engineering and Sciences, University of Science and Art, Yazd, Iran


  • Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the demyelination of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent advancements in molecular biology have highlighted the significance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases, including MS. This study aims to elucidate the roles of these RNA families in MS, focusing on their regulatory mechanisms and potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
  • Methods: 30 comprehensive review articles was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2025. The search terms included "multiple sclerosis," "microRNA," "long non-coding RNA," "small non-coding RNA," and "ncRNA." Data were extracted concerning the expression profiles, functional roles, and regulatory networks of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and sncRNAs in MS. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze gene expression data from public repositories, including the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), to identify dysregulated ncRNAs in MS patients compared to healthy controls.
  • Results: The analysis revealed a significant dysregulation of several miRNAs, lncRNAs, and sncRNAs in MS. Notably, miR-155 and miR-21 were found to be upregulated in MS patients, correlating with inflammatory processes and T cell activation. Conversely, let-7 family members exhibited downregulation, suggesting a potential role in modulating immune responses. LncRNAs such as NEAT1 and MALAT1 were also identified as critical regulators of inflammatory pathways and cellular stress responses. Furthermore, sncRNAs demonstrated involvement in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, highlighting their contribution to the complex regulatory networks underlying MS pathogenesis. Bioinformatics analyses indicated that these dysregulated ncRNAs target key genes involved in myelination, neuronal survival, and immune modulation.
  • Conclusion: This study underscores the pivotal roles of the RNA family, particularly miRNAs, lncRNAs, and sncRNAs, in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. Their dysregulation not only contributes to the understanding of MS mechanisms but also presents novel opportunities for biomarker discovery and therapeutic intervention. Future research should focus on elucidating the precise molecular pathways mediated by these ncRNAs and exploring their potential as targets for innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating disease progression in MS.
  • Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, microRNA, long non-coding RNA, small non-coding RNA, biomarker.