Review of the Different Outcomes Produced by Genetic Knock Out of the Long Non-coding microRNA-host-gene MIR22HG versus Pharmacologic Antagonism of its Intragenic microRNA product miR-22-3p

Abstract

Background: Publications reveal different outcomes achieved by genetically knocking out a long non-coding microRNA-host-gene (lncMIRHG) versus the administration of pharma-cologic antagomirs specifically targeting the guide strand of such intragenic microRNA. This suggests that lncMIRHGs may perform diverse functions unrelated to their role as intragenic miRNA precursors. Objective: This review synthesizes in silico, in vitro, and in vivo findings from our lab and others to compare the effects of knocking out the long non-coding RNA MIR22HG, which hosts miR-22, versus administering pharmacological antagomirs targeting miR-22-3p. Methods: In silico analyses at the gene, pathway, and network levels reveal both distinct and overlapping targets of hsa-miR-22-3p and its host gene, MIR22HG. While pharmacological an-tagomirs targeting miR-22-3p consistently improve various metabolic parameters in cell culture and animal models across multiple studies, genetic knockout of MIR22HG yields inconsistent results among different research groups. Results: Additionally, MIR22HG functions as a circulating endogenous RNA (ceRNA) or "sponge" that simultaneously modulates multiple miRNA-mRNA interactions by competing for binding to several miRNAs. Conclusions: From a therapeutic viewpoint, genetic inactivation of a lncMIRHG and pharmaco-logic antagonism of the guide strand of its related intragenic miRNA produce different results. This should be expected as lncMIRHGs play dual roles, both as lncRNA and as a source for primary miRNA transcripts.