Non-Coding RNAs in Pediatric Airway Diseases

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of numerous biological processes and pathways and therefore have been extensively studied in human diseases. Previous reports have shown that non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and aberrant regulation of respiratory diseases. The altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs in blood and also locally in sputum or exhaled breath condensate influences lung function, immune response, and disease phenotype and may be used for the development of biomarkers specific for airway disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent works studying the non-coding RNAs in airway diseases, with a particular focus on chronic respiratory diseases of childhood. We have chosen the most common chronic respiratory condition—asthma—and the most severe, chronic disease of the airways—cystic fibrosis. Study of the altered expression of non-coding RNAs in these diseases may be key to better understanding their pathogenesis and improving diagnosis, while also holding promise for the development of therapeutic strategies using the regulatory potential of non-coding RNAs.

Targeting cell signaling in allergic asthma

“…150 lncRNAs can act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to bind to complementary microRNAs and prevent them from binding to their target mRNAs. 151–153 In asthma, lncRNAs (i.e., ceRNAs) indirectly affect the levels of Foxp3 and RORγt by targeting their specific miRNAs and therefore contribute to the T reg /Th17 imbalance, which is a hallmark of asthma pathogenesis. 154 Although lncRNAs can regulate the T reg /Th17 balance, other potential mechanisms still need to be investigated.…”

Transcriptome Profiling and Molecular Therapeutic Advances in Cystic Fibrosis: Recent Insights

“…Expression profiling of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is emerging as an approach for identifying new therapeutic targets for CF, based on the crucial role these molecules play as master regulators of gene expression and biological processes [53]. Although there are several species of ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the two most studied regulatory ncRNAs because they have been implicated in many human diseases [54].…”

“…LncRNAs are large (>200 nucleotides in length) ncRNA species that localize to the nucleus or cytoplasm, with a capacity to interact with DNA, RNA, and protein [61]. The regulatory role of lncRNAs in biological processes such as chromatin modification, transcription, and post-transcriptional processing, and intracellular trafficking is well-documented [53,62]. Aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been implicated in many respiratory diseases [63] including CF, where BGas lncRNA was demonstrated to regulate CFTR expression [64].…”

Pharmacological Effects of Novel Peptide Drugs on Allergic Rhinitis at the Small Ribonucleic Acids Level

“…According to recent publications, no direct reports indicate that piRNAs may play effective role in the regulation of HR4 during the pathogenesis of AR, further explaining the specific pattern of piRNAs in the positive control groups. However, there are various publications, in deed confirmed that piRNAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of AR via some specific regulatory mechanisms like interacting with PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin homolog) ( Alexandrova et al, 2016) and PI3k (Phosphoinositide 3-kinase) (Alexandrova et al, 2016;Narożna et al, 2017). Considering that traditional HR4 antagonists only block HR4 by physical binding, however, our newly identified peptides block HR4 biological functions by triggering specific immune response against HR4.…”