MicroRNAs: Potential biomarker in organ transplantation

MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding RNAs that could regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, and have been indicated to be involved in diverse biological processes. They are emerging as master regulator of immune response and may likely play a key role in transplant rejection process. The extensive and comprehensive use of miR microarrays has enabled the identification of miRs as potential biomarkers for transplantation; many miRs have been reported associated with transplant rejection. Here we reviewed the emerging data on transplant recipients' miRs expression pattern, and discussed the possible mechanism of how miRs regulate transplant immune response. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.