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MicroRNA and Cell Signaling: Their Roles in the Maintenance and Repair of Lung Structure

Voelkel NF.

Respiratory Drug Delivery 2018. Volume 1, 2018: 23-36.

Abstract:

The literature on microRNA, microvesicles, and exosomes has grown substantially over the last five years. The consensus is that microvesicles and exosomes are information carriers containing microRNAs. Circulating vesicles and exosomes, including those found in airway secretions, can be taken up by target cells and influence their fate and their phenotypes. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene and protein expression. Experimentally, several strategies have been developed that make use of microRNAs to affect cell growth and differentiation, and alter cell fate in culture and in vivo, in rodents. Studies have shown that miRNA-based therapeutic strategies alter post-myocardial angiogenesis, cardiac fibrosis and hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. With a focus on lung injury and repair, this review puts microRNA and exosome-based treatment strategies in the context of cell-based therapies. While there is an abundance of successful experimental proof-of-principle studies, clinical trials are largely absent at this time. Indeed, microRNA-based treatment of human disease trials are presently limited by the need for well-controlled synthesis and delivery of large quantities of microRNAs, as well as the probability of off-target effects.