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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is not only an autoimmune disease in which autoreactive immune cells against myelin damage axons and nerves in the central nervous system, but also a neurodegenerative disease, in which progressive loss of structure and function of neurons occurs. The mechanisms of MS pathogenesis have not been fully understood. It has been reported that miRNAs may play a critical role in MS pathogenesis. In this review, we have extensively discussed the alterations in the expression of miRNAs detected in patients with MS. The dysregulated miRNAs have been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of MS. We suggest that such dysregulated miRNAs may potentially be used as biomarkers in the diagnosis of MS, to discover new therapeutic targets for MS treatment, and to predict prognostic markers in responses to MS treatment., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded 19-25 nucleotide-long RNAs and have an important role in post-transcriptional gene silencing. It has been demonstrated that miRNAs are dysregulated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). For instance, miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-155 and miR-326 were up-regulated in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and brain white matter lesions from MS patients and mouse model as well. These up-regulated miRNAs may be used as a signature for MS and play critical roles in MS pathogenesis. Moreover, miR-15a, miR-19a, miR-22, miR-210 and miR-223 were up-regulated in both regulatory T cells (Tregs) and other samples such as plasma, blood cells, PBMCs and brain white matter tissues from MS patients, suggesting that these up-regulated miRNAs and Tregs may also play a role in MS pathogenesis. Contrarily, other miRNAs such as miR-15a, miR-15b, miR-181c and miR-328 were down-regulated in MS. Drugs such as interferon-β and glatiramer acetate for MS treatment may regulate miRNA expression and thus have benefits for MS patients. The dysregulated miRNAs such as miR-155 and miR-326 may be used as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for MS.