Figure 2.

miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets against skeletal muscle aging and disorders. Many studies using mouse models of disease have shown that manipulation of some miRNAs such as miR-431, miR-23a, miR-196a, and miR-155 reverses aging phenotypes in muscle or protects against muscle disorders (29,53,54,56,57), suggesting that miRNAs could be potential therapeutic targets against muscle aging. In general, miRNAs that are altered in expression during muscle aging and disorders are candidates for manipulation by miRNA mimics or inhibitors to counteract the effects of aging or disorders. The candidate miRNAs can then be delivered into muscle by multiple approaches including local injection, electric pulse, intra ventricular delivery, and adeno-associated virus vector followed by studying the functional consequences in target gene expression, cellular, and organismal outcomes.