Involvement of microRNAs as a Response to Phototherapy and Photodynamic Therapy: A Literature Review
Francesco Borgia,
Paolo Custurone,
Lucia Peterle,
Giovanni Pioggia,
Fabrizio Guarneri,
Sebastiano Gangemi
Affiliations
Francesco Borgia
School and Operative Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria—Gazzi, 98125 Messina, Italy
Paolo Custurone
School and Operative Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria—Gazzi, 98125 Messina, Italy
Lucia Peterle
School and Operative Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria—Gazzi, 98125 Messina, Italy
Giovanni Pioggia
Institute for Biolomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 98164 Messina, Italy
Fabrizio Guarneri
School and Operative Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria—Gazzi, 98125 Messina, Italy
Sebastiano Gangemi
School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria—Gazzi, 98125 Messina, Italy
The current knowledge about the mechanisms of action of light-based treatments (chiefly photodynamic therapy and phototherapy) in skin diseases leans to the possible involvement of epigenetic and oxidative stress mechanisms. To better understand and exploit, to the fullest, these relatively safe and reproducible treatments, several studies have focused on miRNAs, small non-encoding RNAs (22–24 nucleotides), after light-based treatments. The current narrative review focused on 25 articles. A meta-analysis was not deemed appropriate. The results gather the most recurrent skin-related miRNAs up- or downregulated after light treatment. Five of these, miR-21, -29, -125, -145 and -155, are either the most consistently related to efficacy/resistance to treatment or identified as helpful diagnostic tools. A specific class of miRNAs (angioMIRs) requires further studies. Future treatments and imaging techniques could benefit greatly from the use of antagomirs as a possible co-adjuvant therapy along with light-based treatments.
