title: FibromiRs: translating molecular discoveries into new anti-fibrotic drugs.
abstract: Fibrosis, or tissue scarring, is defined as excessive and persistent accumulation of extracellular matrix components in response to chronic tissue injury. Fibrosis is a pathological feature characterizing nearly all forms of chronic organ failure. Fibroproliferative disorders of liver, kidney, heart, and lung are frequently associated with considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Limited therapeutic options are available; none is yet effective in stopping the ultimate progression of the disease. This has prompted investigations for new molecular targets. Recent studies have shown aberrant expression of miRNAs (fibromiRs) during the development of fibrosis. The challenge now is to understand how these aberrantly expressed miRNAs collaborate to drive fibrogenesis. Progress in understanding how fibromiRs contribute to tissue fibrosis is necessary to translate molecular discoveries into new therapeutics for fibroproliferative diseases.
authors.affiliation: EA4483, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lille 2 University School of Medicine, Lille, France. Electronic address: nico_pottier@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pottier
authors.affiliation: EA4483, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lille 2 University School of Medicine, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cauffiez
authors.affiliation: INSERM U837, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perrais
authors.affiliation: CNRS, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Sophia Antipolis, France; University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barbry
authors.affiliation: CNRS, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Sophia Antipolis, France; University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: drug design; fibrosis; gene targeting; miRNA; therapeutics