Role of redoximiRs in fibrogenesis

• Reactive oxygen species participate in the fibrogenic response.
• NADPH oxidases are important effectors in the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis.
• MicroRNAs may regulate redox responses (“redoximiRs) and fibrogenesis (“fibromiRs”).
• A novel set of overlapping “redoxi” and “fibromiRs” is called “redoxifibromiRs”.
• “RedoxifibromiRs” represent a promising therapeutic avenue for organ fibrogenesis.

Fibrosis can be defined as an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, ultimately leading to stiffness, scarring and devitalized tissue. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, 19–25 nucleotides (nt), non-coding RNAs involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Recently, miRNAs have also emerged as powerful regulators of fibrotic processes and have been termed “fibromiRs”. Oxidative stress represents a self-perpetuating mechanism in fibrogenesis. MiRNAs can also influence the expression of genes responsible for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defence and are termed “redoximiRs”. Here, we review the current knowledge of mechanisms by which “redoximiRs” regulate fibrogenesis. This new set of miRNAs may be called “redoxifibromiRs”.

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