MicroRNAs as Potential Targets for Treatment of Osteoclast-Related Diseases

Background: Understanding the roles of miRNAs in osteoclasts has great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of osteolytic diseases. Objective: The purpose of this paper was to describe the current knowledge of miRNA biogenesis and summarize recent work on the roles of miRNAs in osteoclasts. Results: There is accumulating evidence to indicate that miRNAs constitute a novel and efficient mechanism for the regulation of gene expression. Conclusion: Untangling the role that miRNAs play in osteoclastogenesis will illuminate new strategies and specific drug targets for the treatment of osteolytic diseases. Many questions remain, but an in-depth comprehension of the network and kinetics of miRNAs expression, and their connection with cognate genes will not be trivial, but fruitful.