Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

4.3K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.3K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

24.8K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.8K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

12.1K
12.1K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

8.4K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
8.4K
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

19.1K
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
19.1K
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

28.8K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
28.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mast-cell derived nerve growth factor drives ILC2 pro-tumoral functions in bladder cancer.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Single-amino acid variants in target epitopes can confer resistance to antibody-based therapies.

Science translational medicine·2025
Same author

Basic Concepts and Indications of CAR T Cells.

Hamostaseologie·2025
Same author

Selective haematological cancer eradication with preserved haematopoiesis.

Nature·2024
Same author

Melanoma Clonal Heterogeneity Leads to Secondary Resistance after Adoptive Cell Therapy with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes.

Cancer immunology research·2024
Same author

TGF-β specifies T<sub>FH</sub> versus T<sub>H</sub>17 cell fates in murine CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells through c-Maf.

Science immunology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

18.1K

Targeting microRNAs for immunomodulation.

Lukas T Jeker1, Romina Marone1

  • 1Department of Biomedicine, Basel University Hospital and University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|May 30, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Modulating immune cell function with microRNAs (miRNAs) is promising for treating diseases. While delivery challenges persist, novel small molecule approaches show potential for effective RNA-based therapeutics.

More Related Videos

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells
07:19

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

Published on: September 28, 2011

37.0K
A Simple Alternative to Stereotactic Injection for Brain Specific Knockdown of miRNA
06:53

A Simple Alternative to Stereotactic Injection for Brain Specific Knockdown of miRNA

Published on: December 26, 2015

13.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

18.1K
Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells
07:19

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

Published on: September 28, 2011

37.0K
A Simple Alternative to Stereotactic Injection for Brain Specific Knockdown of miRNA
06:53

A Simple Alternative to Stereotactic Injection for Brain Specific Knockdown of miRNA

Published on: December 26, 2015

13.2K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs with crucial roles in immune cell function.
  • Dozens of miRNAs are implicated in immune responses, presenting potential targets for immunomodulation.
  • Instability and delivery of nucleic acid-based miRNA therapeutics to immune cells remain significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore novel strategies for modulating microRNA function in immune cells.
  • To highlight the potential of small molecules as an alternative to nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
  • To discuss the progress and future directions in RNA-targeted drug development for immune modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent advancements in chemical modifications for miRNA mimics and inhibitors.
  • Exploration of strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment for inflammatory diseases.
  • Investigation of small molecule approaches for modulating miRNA activity.
  • Discussion of computational methods for predicting small molecule/RNA interactions.

Main Results:

  • Chemical modifications have improved the stability of miRNA-based drugs.
  • Targeting the acidic tumor microenvironment shows promise for inflammatory diseases.
  • Small molecules are emerging as a viable strategy for modulating miRNA function, overcoming the 'undruggable' perception of RNA.
  • Computational tools aid in identifying specific small molecule-RNA interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Despite delivery challenges, microRNA-based therapeutics hold significant potential for immunomodulation.
  • Small molecules represent a promising alternative for targeting RNA, with encouraging recent progress.
  • Clinical successes validate the efficacy of RNA-targeting drugs in humans, paving the way for new therapies.