Dysregulation of microRNA expression in diabetic skin

Clinical skin manifestations are common in diabetes; however, molecular mechanisms underlying such defects are largely unknown. Several findings indicate a role for microRNA (miRNA) in skin homeostasis. We investigated whether miRNA expression is altered in the skin of a Type 1 mouse model of diabetes. For this purpose, miRNA profiling by microarray analysis was performed on RNA extracted from the skin of diabetic mice and non-diabetic controls. >400 different miRNA species were identified, differential expression-analysis revealed miRNA dysregulation in diabetic skin. Interestingly, among the 30 most significantly modulated genes, 27 were downregulated and 3 were upregulated in diabetic mice. Pathway analysis using Tarbase showed an enrichment of signature-miRNA target genes in pathways with roles in skin homeostasis, such as TGF-β and Wnt. Total RNAs from the back skin of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice (a model of type I diabetes) and non-diabetic controls were extracted and miRNA profiling by microarray analysis was performed.