Non-coding RNAs in neurological diseases: from mechanism to therapeutic approaches

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) have emerged as important regulators of neuronal circuit formation and function and have been implicated in many neurological disorders. Research in our group focuses on the neurobiology of ncRNAs, such as microRNA and long non-coding RNA, particularly in the context of neuropsychiatric diseases. In addition, we are investigating the trans-synaptic exchange of microRNA via extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipid-enclosed vesicles that are secreted by all cells and are promising candidates for disease phenocopying and drug delivery. Importantly, we are working towards the translation of research findings into novel nucleic acid-based therapies for nervous system diseases.

Our main research interests:

1)      The mechanisms of neuronal microRNA secretion into EVs, and their role in neuronal circuit formation.

2)      The targeting and trans-synaptic transmission of EVs and other nanoparticles in the nervous system.

3)      The role of ncRNA in conferring susceptibility or resilience to neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by early life adversity.

• Heba Ali, Postdoc

• Yuzhou Zeng, PhD

• Selina Luhmann, MSc

• Aditi Saha, MSc

1. Szegő, É.M., Höfs, L., Antoniou, A., Dinter, E., Bernhardt N., Schneider, A., Di Monte, D.A., Bernhardt, N., Falkenburger, H. (2025). Intermittent fasting reduces alpha-synuclein pathology and functional decline in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Nat Commun, 16, 4470. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59249-5
2. Zeng, Y., Antoniou, A. (2025). Regulation of synaptic mitochondria by extracellular vesicles and its implications for neuronal metabolism and synaptic plasticity. JCBFM, 14:271678X251337630. doi: 10.1177/0271678X251337630
3. Antoniou, A.*, Auderset, L., Kaurani, L., Sebastian, E., Zeng, Y., Allahham, M., Cases-Cunillera, S., Schoch, S., Gründemann, J., Fischer, A., & Schneider, A.* (2023). Neuronal extracellular vesicles and associated microRNAs induce circuit connectivity downstream BDNF. Cell Rep, 42(2), 112063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112063 *co-corresponding
4. Antoniou, A.*, Khudayberdiev, S., Idziak, A., Bicker, S., Jacob, R., Schratt, G.* (2018). The dynamic recruitment of TRBP to neuronal membranes mediates dendritogenesis during development. EMBO Rep, 19(3), e44853. DOI:10.15252/embr.201744853 *co-corresponding
5. Weiss, K.*, Antoniou, A.*, Schratt, G. (2015). Non-coding mechanisms of local mRNA translation in neuronal dendrites. EJCB, 94(7-9):363-7. DOI:10.1016/j.ejcb.2015.05.011 *equal contribution
6. Antoniou, A., Baptista, M., Carney, N., Hanley, J.G. (2014). PICK1 links Argonaute 2 to endosomes in neuronal dendrites and regulates miRNA activity. EMBO Rep, 15(5): 548-56. DOI:10.1002/embr.201337631
7. Fiore, R., Rajman, M., Schwale, C., Bicker, S., Antoniou, A., Bruehl, C., Draguhn, A., Schratt, G. (2014). MiR-134-dependent regulation of Pumilio-2 is necessary for homeostatic synaptic depression. EMBO J, 33(19):2231-46. DOI:10.15252/embj.201487921
8. Rocca, D.L.*, Amici, M.*, Antoniou, A.*, Blanco Suarez, E., Halemani, R., Murk, K., McGarvey, J., Jaafari, N., Mellor, J.R., Collingridge, G.L., Hanley, J.G. (2013). The small GTPase Arf1 regulates Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization via PICK1 to control AMPA receptor trafficking, dendritic spine size and synaptic plasticity. Neuron, 79(2): 293-307. DOI:10.1016/j.neuron.2013.05.003 *equal contribution

For full list of publications click here

1. 2022-2025: Research Grant: DFG (Eigene Stelle), Projektnr: 502254462. Title: “NeuroEV: Neuronal Extracellular Vesicles and microRNAs in BDNF-dependent plasticity in the hippocampus”, Role: PI
2. 2024-2026: Seed Funding: Hertie Network of Excellence in Clinical Neuroscience. Title: “Neuro-miR Secretion: The dynamic regulation of microRNA sorting to neuronal extracellular vesicles”, Role: PI
3. 2023-2026: Research Grant: Hertie Network of Excellence in Clinical Neuroscience. Title: “The regulation of neuronal circuit formation by EV-microRNAs and its role in depression”, Role: PI
4. 2019-2021: Career Grant: BONFOR Establishment of Junior Research Groups. Title: “Spreading the growth message: Regulation of exosome microRNAs by BDNF and their role in neuron dendrite outgrowth”, Role: PI
5. 2015-2017: Post-doctoral Research Fellowship: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (also accepted by the EMBO foundation; non-stipendiary fellowship)
6. 2014-2015: Career Grant: MRC Centenary Early Career Award