Advances in the role of miR-378a in skeletal muscle development and diseases

Zi-Ting DING; Dan LAN

doi:10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2510055

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Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2026, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (4) : 522-528. DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2510055

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Advances in the role of miR-378a in skeletal muscle development and diseases

Zi-Ting DING ,
Dan LAN

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulation. miR-378a is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and plays important roles in myogenesis, maintenance of muscle homeostasis, and disease progression. Studies indicate that miR-378a participates in myogenic differentiation, energy metabolism, and muscle fiber-type switching by regulating molecules such as histone deacetylase 4 and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1. Dysregulated miR-378a is associated with muscle diseases: in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, its expression level negatively correlates with disease severity, and overexpression can ameliorate disease phenotypes; in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 3, rhabdomyosarcoma, sarcopenia, and spinal muscular atrophy, its potential value as a biomarker or therapeutic target has attracted increasing attention. This review summarizes the molecular characteristics of miR-378a and its roles in skeletal muscle development and related diseases, providing a reference for clinical translation.

Key words

Muscle disease / miR-378a / Skeletal myogenesis / Biomarker / Therapeutic target

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Zi-Ting DING , Dan LAN. Advances in the role of miR-378a in skeletal muscle development and diseases[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2026, 28(4): 522-528 https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2510055

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