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Non-Coding RNAs as Key Regulators in Human Disease Processes

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: inflammation; neurodegeneration; microglia; obesity; cannabinoid recepite ligand

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of gene expression and cellular function, profoundly influencing a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. In recent years, increasing evidence has highlighted the pivotal role of ncRNAs—including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs—in the onset and progression of human diseases, ranging from cancer and neurodegenerative disorders to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. These molecules not only serve as crucial players in disease mechanisms but also represent promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This Special Issue aims to gather original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore the functional roles of ncRNAs in human pathologies, their underlying molecular mechanisms, and their translational potential in clinical settings.

Dr. Beatrice Polini
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • non-coding RNAs
  • microRNAs
  • long non-coding RNAs
  • circular RNAs
  • biomarkers
  • therapeutic targets
  • molecular mechanisms
  • RNA-based therapy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 2335 KB  
Article
Tissue-Based Transcriptomic Profiling of Gastrointestinal Graft Versus Host Disease Reveals Immune and MicroRNA Dysregulation
by Sakhila Ghimire, Jean Norden, Rihab Gam, Clare Lendrem, Ernst Holler, Anne M. Dickinson and Rachel E. Crossland
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2513; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052513 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 109
Abstract
Gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (GI aGvHD) remains a leading cause of non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current diagnostic methods rely on invasive procedures with limited sensitivity. While circulating biomarkers have been proposed, little is known about the local transcriptomic [...] Read more.
Gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (GI aGvHD) remains a leading cause of non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current diagnostic methods rely on invasive procedures with limited sensitivity. While circulating biomarkers have been proposed, little is known about the local transcriptomic landscape within inflamed GI tissue. We performed integrated profiling of mRNA and microRNA expression in colonoscopically resected GI biopsies from n = 8 HSCT patients, including n = 3 with histologically confirmed GI aGvHD and n = 5 without. Using NanoString nCounter technology, we quantified 770 immune-related mRNAs and 799 mature human microRNAs. Differential expression analysis, pathway enrichment, cell type deconvolution, and machine learning–based biomarker prioritisation were conducted to define disease-specific molecular signatures. GI aGvHD was marked by upregulation of inflammatory genes (e.g., IL1B, IL17RA, HLA-DRA) and immune-regulatory microRNAs (e.g., miR-155-3p, miR-223-3p), alongside downregulation of epithelial and anti-inflammatory markers (ST6GAL1, THBS1, miR-1915-3p, miR-145-5p). Enrichment analyses revealed activation of IL2/STAT5, JAK/STAT3, TCR signalling, and antigen presentation pathways. Machine learning identified LCN2, CXCL13, and miR-1269b as top-ranked biomarker candidates. Cell deconvolution showed increased M0 macrophage and decreased dendritic cell signatures in aGvHD tissue. This is the first study to integrate mRNA and microRNA profiling in GI tissue using NanoString technology to characterise the immune and epithelial transcriptomic landscape of aGvHD. Our findings reveal dysregulated immune pathways, altered myeloid cell populations, and novel biomarker candidates, offering tissue-specific insights into disease pathogenesis and potential diagnostic targets. Larger validation studies and functional assays are warranted to confirm clinical utility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-Coding RNAs as Key Regulators in Human Disease Processes)
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