TY - JOUR AU - Li, Liang AU - Wang, Jin PY - 2019 DA - 2019/03/19 TI - Roles of extracellular microRNAs in central nervous system JO - ExRNA SP - 13 VL - 1 IS - 1 AB - MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs containing about 18–25 nucleotides which modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Recently, microRNAs have been detected in the extracellular space including a wide range of body fluids. These extracellular miRNAs, often encapsulated in secreted extracellular vesicles, can be transferred into recipient cells and thus inhibits the expression of targeted genes. In view of these findings, a new exosome-based therapeutic approach is invented, which can effectively deliver miRNAs/siRNAs into specific cells. In central nervous system, extracellular miRNAs can not only be used as noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis of several neurological disorders, but also mediate the intercellular communication between neurons and glial cells. In this review, we will discuss the latest research work regarding the roles of secreted miRNAs in central nervous system and evaluate the potential of exosome-mediated miRNAs/siRNAs delivery in neural therapy. SN - 2398-0060 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s41544-019-0011-3 DO - 10.1186/s41544-019-0011-3 ID - Li2019 ER -