title: microRNAs in asthma:  potential therapeutic targets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Asthma is a global disease affecting millions of people. Current treatments are largely symptomatic and, although often effective, can be associated with various side effects. microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are regulatory RNAs that affect protein synthesis. They represent new therapeutic targets, and medicines that target specific miRNAs may have potential in the treatment of asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There have been a number of studies in the field of miRNA that implicate specific miRNAs in the pathophysiology of asthma. For example, studies using mouse models have identified miRNAs that are altered in response to allergen challenge. Certain miRNAs that are involved in the regulation of interleukin-13 and the TH2 response, key components of the asthmatic response, have been shown to be amenable to modulation by premiRs and antimiRs. Other studies have identified miRNAs that are implicated in bronchial smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness and proliferation. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in miRNA responsive elements within asthma susceptibility genes, and also in miRNAs themselves, can also contribute to the asthma phenotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Developing miRNA-based medicines to treat the pulmonary manifestations of asthma could yield therapeutics with new properties that have the potential to treat both the inflammation and hyperresponsivesness associated with this disease.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Research Division, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. cmgreene@rcsi.ie
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Kevin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Gaughan
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019468:Disease Management; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs