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Research progress on the role of miR-132 in the pathogenesis of depression

MENG Ding-Lun¹, WANG Qing-Yan¹, ZHANG Xin¹, LI Shu-Hong¹, TIAN Chun-Ping¹, JIA Chi-Yu¹, MA Hao-Qin², YANG Yan-Ling^1,*

¹Yan'an Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China；²Xi'an Honghui Hospital, Xi'an 710000, China

Abstract

The prevalence of depression, a common mental disorder in clinical practice, has been continuously increasing in recent years, with its intricate etiology and pathogenesis incompletely understood. MicroRNA (miRNA), a highly conserved and widely distributed genetic regulatory factor in eukaryotic organisms, plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of depression. miR-132, a miRNA molecule specifically enriched in the central nervous system, has emerged as a significant focus in the study of depression. miR-132 is involved in the pathogenesis by modulating critical processes such as dendritic spine remodeling and synaptic efficacy. Current research confirms that the expression profile of miR-132 in peripheral blood and brain tissue samples from animal models of depression shows significant abnormal fluctuations, and its expression level is dose-dependently associated with disease severity, progression, and treatment response. Therefore, this article focuses on a few key elements, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuroinflammatory cascade reactions, neurogenesis, and plasticity, to comprehensively examine the potential role of miR-132 expression in the onset and progression of depression. This review also aims to provide a theoretical foundation for future in-depth research and clinical applications in the field of depression therapy.

Key words: miR-132; depression; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; neuroplasticity; neuroinflammation

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 杨彦玲　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2025.0074

Citing This Article：

MENG Ding-Lun, WANG Qing-Yan, ZHANG Xin, LI Shu-Hong, TIAN Chun-Ping, JIA Chi-Yu, MA Hao-Qin, YANG Yan-Ling. Research progress on the role of miR-132 in the pathogenesis of depression. Acta Physiol Sin 2025; 77 (6): 1109-1122 (in Chinese with English abstract).