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Use of Ultra-high Field MRI in Small Rodent Models of Polycystic Kidney Disease for In Vivo Phenotyping and Drug Monitoring
Published on: June 23, 2015
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MicroRNAs and Polycystic Kidney Disease
Lama Noureddine1, Sachin Hajarnis1, Vishal Patel1
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Drug Discovery Today. Disease Models
|September 16, 2014
Summary
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) involves kidney cysts. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-17~92 and miR-200s may drive cyst growth by altering gene dosage, suggesting miRNA therapy for PKD.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the leading genetic cause of chronic kidney failure, marked by renal cyst formation.
- Current treatments for PKD lack FDA approval to slow cyst progression.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in various diseases, including kidney disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of specific miRNA clusters (miR-17~92 and miR-200s) in the pathogenesis of PKD.
- To propose a novel hypothesis linking miRNA function, PKD gene dosage, and cyst growth.
- To explore miRNA manipulation as a potential therapeutic strategy for PKD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current evidence on miRNAs in PKD.
- Analysis of the proposed mechanism involving miRNA regulation of gene dosage in cystogenesis.
- Hypothetical framework for miRNA-based therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests the miR-17~92 cluster and miR-200s family are involved in PKD development.
- A new hypothesis posits that miRNAs regulate PKD gene dosage, contributing to cyst growth.
- This regulatory mechanism offers a potential target for novel PKD therapies.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs, specifically miR-17~92 and miR-200s, play a significant role in PKD pathogenesis.
- Normalizing PKD gene dosage through miRNA modulation is a promising therapeutic avenue.
- Further research into miRNA-based treatments could lead to effective therapies for PKD.
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