Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which regulate numerous cellular processes at the posttranscriptional and translational level. In endometriosis, expression of miRNAs is frequently dysregulated. miRNAs are predicted to modulate several relevant processes involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and invasiveness, angiogenesis, and inflammation, as well as stem cell properties. miRNA expression has been studied by microarray profiling and quantitative real-time PCR, enabling the identification of specific miRNAs as potential novel diagnostic markers for endometriosis. The future application of locked-nucleic acid miRNA inhibitors, miRNA decoys, and synergistic approaches involving conventional therapeutics may open up promising new perspectives in endometriosis therapy.
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