The role of muscle-specific MicroRNAs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and skeletal muscle dysfunction

Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a systematic manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is manifested through the changes in the respiratory and peripheral muscle fiber types, reducing muscle strength and endurance, and muscle atrophy. Muscle dysfunction limits the daily mobility, negatively affects the quality of life, and may increase the patient's risk of mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as the regulators of gene expression, plays an important role in modulating skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD by regulating skeletal muscle development (proliferation, differentiation), protein synthesis and degradation, inflammatory response, and metabolism. In particular, muscle-specific miRNAs (myomiRs) may play an important role in this process, although the different expression levels of myomiRs in COPD and skeletal muscle dysfunction and the mechanisms underlying their role remain unclear. In this paper, we review the differential expression of the myomiRs in COPD to identify myomiRs that play a role in skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD. We further explore their possible mechanisms and action in order to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of the skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD.

Automated summary

Skeletal muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is caused by changes in respiratory and peripheral muscle fiber types, resulting in reduced muscle strength and endurance, and muscle atrophy. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in modulating skeletal muscle dysfunction through regulation of muscle development, protein synthesis and degradation, inflammatory response, and metabolism. Muscle-specific miRNAs (myomiRs) may be involved in this process, although their differential expression levels and underlying mechanisms in COPD and skeletal muscle dysfunction are not yet fully understood. This paper reviews the differential expression of myomiRs in COPD and explores their possible mechanisms to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD.