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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
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Lung microRNA Profiling Across the Estrous Cycle in Ozone-exposed Mice
Published on: January 7, 2019
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MicroRNA Targets for Asthma Therapy
Sabrina C Ramelli1, William T Gerthoffer2
1Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 31, 2021
Summary
Targeting microRNAs offers a promising new approach for treating severe asthma, particularly in patients unresponsive to standard therapies. Further research is needed to optimize delivery and identify the best microRNA targets for effective oligonucleotide-based treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic obstructive lung disease with diverse endotypes, including Th2 high and Th2 low phenotypes.
- Standard therapies like inhaled corticosteroids are ineffective for 5-10% of severe asthma cases.
- Pro-inflammatory microRNAs are implicated in asthma pathogenesis, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of targeting pro-inflammatory microRNAs for severe asthma treatment.
- To review current strategies using microRNA mimics and antagonists.
- To identify challenges and future directions for oligonucleotide-based asthma therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on microRNA targeting in mouse models of asthma.
- Analysis of chemically modified oligonucleotides for enhanced stability and specificity.
- Discussion of delivery challenges and requirements for clinical application.
Main Results:
- MicroRNA targeting has shown efficacy in preclinical asthma models.
- Chemically modified oligonucleotides offer improved pharmacokinetic properties.
- Lung tissue delivery remains a significant hurdle for clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA-based therapies represent a novel anti-inflammatory strategy for severe asthma.
- Optimization of delivery systems and target identification are crucial for clinical success.
- Future oligonucleotide drug candidates require high lung cell uptake, specificity, and efficacy with minimal off-target effects.
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