|
1
|
Cianci V, Mondello C, Sapienza D, Guerrera MC, Cianci A, Cracò A, Luppino F, Gioffrè V, Gualniera P, Asmundo A, Germanà A. microRNAs as New Biomolecular Markers to Estimate Time since Death: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9207. [PMID: 39273155 PMCID: PMC11394707 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Estimating the post-mortem interval is still one of the most complex challenges in forensics. In fact, the main tools currently used are burdened by numerous limitations, which sometimes allow the time of death to be placed only within too large time intervals. In recent years, researchers have tried to identify new tools to try to narrow down the interval within which to place the time of death; among these, the analysis of microRNAs seems to be promising. An evidence-based systematic review of the literature has been conducted to evaluate the state of the art of knowledge, focusing on the potential correlation between miRNA degradation and PMI estimation. The research has been performed using the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and WOS. The results allowed us to highlight the usefulness of miRNAs both as markers for PMI estimation and for normalization, especially due to their stability. In fact, some miRNAs remain particularly stable for long periods and in different tissues, while others degrade faster. Furthermore, there are numerous factors capable of influencing the behavior of these molecules, among which the type of tissue, the cause of death, and the circadian rhythm appear to be the most relevant. Despite the promising results of the few articles present in the literature, because of the numerous limitations they are burdened by, further research is still necessary to achieve more solid and shareable results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cianci
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.M.); (P.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Cristina Mondello
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.M.); (P.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Daniela Sapienza
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.M.); (P.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.C.G.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessio Cianci
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Cracò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, University Hospital Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Francesco Luppino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Vittorio Gioffrè
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Patrizia Gualniera
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.M.); (P.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Alessio Asmundo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.M.); (P.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Antonino Germanà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.C.G.); (A.G.)
| |
Collapse
|