Inflammation-regulatory microRNAs: Valuable targets for intracranial atherosclerosis

: Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is the most common etiology of ischemic stroke with the highest rate of stroke recurrence. Little is currently known of the association of circulating inflammation-regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) with ICAS. In this review, we briefly discuss that ICAS is characterized as a dynamic and unstable inflammatory process within intracranial arteries. Then, as a topic of discussion, we mainly concentrate on the following crucial miRNAs (miR-155, miR-27a/b, miR-342-5p, miR-21, miR-124, and miR-223) by virtue of their multiple roles in regulating the progression of atherosclerosis involved with systemic and local inflammatory activities in cerebral arteries. Clinical perspectives of other miRNAs (miR-146a, miR-181b, miR-126, miR-143, and let-7b) in ICAS are also mentioned. In relevance to the inflammatory mechanisms of ICAS, the in-depth knowledge of miRNAs engaged in the progression of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques may provide an approach to a more precise exploration of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for ICAS.