Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) constitute a large class of molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression in both health and disease. They include different families, as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNA (siRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), among others. In many cases, a single ncRNA can regulate the expression of different targets at the genetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional level, enrolling diverse biological functions and leading to pleiotropic effects. Emerging studies support that ncRNAs actively participate in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, their involvement in brain aging, neuron-glia communication, neuroinflammation, synapse (dys)function and cognition has been broadly explored. At the same time, other studies have reported abnormal ncRNAs levels in circulating fluids, such as the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma, often associated with extracellular vesicles (e.g., exosomes), in which they comprise a considerable part of their cargo.
In this Research Topic, we seek to collect the most recent insights from the emerging field of noncoding RNAs in a neurodegenerative context. We are especially focused on the potential involvement of specific ncRNAs in the major neurodegenerative disorders – AD, PD, HD and ALS. However, we wil also consider studies from other neuropathological fields, including those from rare diseases. Importantly, we aim to integrate new ideas, concepts, and disease models, to garner a better understanding of ncRNAs dysregulation in neurodegeneration-associated mechanisms. We are also interested in exploiting the potential application of ncRNAs as diagnostic/prognosis non-invasive biomarkers, and to decipher their value as disease-modifying targets. Moreover, we would like to explore the role of extracellular vesicles as ncRNA delivering systems between different cell types (e.g., neurons and microglia), and discuss their use in future neuropharmacological strategies.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original research manuscripts, perspectives and reviews covering the following areas:
- The role of ncRNAs in AD, PD, HD, ALS as well as in other neurodegenerative diseases
- Advanced in vitro cell modeling (e.g., stem cells, iPSC-derived cells, 3D organoids) to study ncRNA signaling
- In vivo studies addressing ncRNA dynamics, homeostasis, intercellular communication, and neurocognitive effects
- Single-cell RNA sequencing data focusing ncRNAs and their targets
- Circulating fluid / extracellular vesicle -associated ncRNAs and their pathophysiology in neurodegenerative context
- Candidate ncRNAs that may constitute either good biomarkers or therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration
- Integrative and/or conceptual studies concerning ncRNAs in brain (dys)function including potential neuropharmacological strategies
- Involvement of ncRNAs in neuron-glia communication, neuroinflammation and synapse (dys)function
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) constitute a large class of molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression in both health and disease. They include different families, as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNA (siRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), among others. In many cases, a single ncRNA can regulate the expression of different targets at the genetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional level, enrolling diverse biological functions and leading to pleiotropic effects. Emerging studies support that ncRNAs actively participate in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, their involvement in brain aging, neuron-glia communication, neuroinflammation, synapse (dys)function and cognition has been broadly explored. At the same time, other studies have reported abnormal ncRNAs levels in circulating fluids, such as the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma, often associated with extracellular vesicles (e.g., exosomes), in which they comprise a considerable part of their cargo.
In this Research Topic, we seek to collect the most recent insights from the emerging field of noncoding RNAs in a neurodegenerative context. We are especially focused on the potential involvement of specific ncRNAs in the major neurodegenerative disorders – AD, PD, HD and ALS. However, we wil also consider studies from other neuropathological fields, including those from rare diseases. Importantly, we aim to integrate new ideas, concepts, and disease models, to garner a better understanding of ncRNAs dysregulation in neurodegeneration-associated mechanisms. We are also interested in exploiting the potential application of ncRNAs as diagnostic/prognosis non-invasive biomarkers, and to decipher their value as disease-modifying targets. Moreover, we would like to explore the role of extracellular vesicles as ncRNA delivering systems between different cell types (e.g., neurons and microglia), and discuss their use in future neuropharmacological strategies.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original research manuscripts, perspectives and reviews covering the following areas:
- The role of ncRNAs in AD, PD, HD, ALS as well as in other neurodegenerative diseases
- Advanced in vitro cell modeling (e.g., stem cells, iPSC-derived cells, 3D organoids) to study ncRNA signaling
- In vivo studies addressing ncRNA dynamics, homeostasis, intercellular communication, and neurocognitive effects
- Single-cell RNA sequencing data focusing ncRNAs and their targets
- Circulating fluid / extracellular vesicle -associated ncRNAs and their pathophysiology in neurodegenerative context
- Candidate ncRNAs that may constitute either good biomarkers or therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration
- Integrative and/or conceptual studies concerning ncRNAs in brain (dys)function including potential neuropharmacological strategies
- Involvement of ncRNAs in neuron-glia communication, neuroinflammation and synapse (dys)function
