MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Chronic Diseases
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 641
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, have become central to biomedical research. Their significance was highlighted by the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded for pioneering work in miRNA biology. miRNAs are essential regulators of key biological processes, and their dysregulation has been linked to the development and progression of numerous diseases.
Since the discovery of circulating miRNAs in 2008, these molecules have gained significant attention as promising non-invasive biomarkers. Found in various body fluids—including blood, saliva, and urine—miRNAs are remarkably stable, protected by their association with proteins, lipids, or encapsulation within exosomes. This stability, even under harsh conditions such as low pH or repeated freeze–thaw cycles, makes miRNAs particularly attractive for diagnostic applications.
Circulating miRNAs act not only as biomarkers but also as mediators of intercellular communication. Their expression patterns reflect physiological and pathological states, making them valuable tools for disease prediction, early diagnosis, prognosis, and the monitoring of treatment responses. For instance, liver-specific miRNAs such as miR-122 and miR-192 are released into the bloodstream during hepatic injury, demonstrating tissue specificity and clinical utility.
This Special Issue, ‘MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Chronic Diseases,’ aims to highlight the latest advances in the use of miRNAs across a spectrum of chronic diseases. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and novel perspectives that explore the role of miRNAs in disease risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring. Topics may include—but are not limited to—cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric conditions.
We look forward to contributions that will help shape the future of miRNA-based diagnostics and precision medicine.
Dr. Xiao Wang
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- microRNA
- biomarker
- chronic diseases
- cancer
- cardiovascular diseases
- psychiatric conditions
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