MicroRNA regulatory networks in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

KV Pandit, J Milosevic - Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 2015 - cdnsciencepub.com
KV Pandit, J Milosevic
Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 2015cdnsciencepub.com
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and fatal scarring lung disease
of unknown etiology, characterized by changes in microRNA expression. Activation of
transforming growth factor (TGF-β) is a key event in the development of IPF. Recent reports
have also identified epigenetic modification as an important player in the pathogenesis of
IPF. In this review, we summarize the main results of studies that address the role of
microRNAs in IPF and highlight the synergistic actions of these microRNAs in regulating …
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and fatal scarring lung disease of unknown etiology, characterized by changes in microRNA expression. Activation of transforming growth factor (TGF-β) is a key event in the development of IPF. Recent reports have also identified epigenetic modification as an important player in the pathogenesis of IPF. In this review, we summarize the main results of studies that address the role of microRNAs in IPF and highlight the synergistic actions of these microRNAs in regulating TGF-β, the primary fibrogenic mediator. We outline epigenetic regulation of microRNAs by methylation. Functional studies identify microRNAs that alter proliferative and migratory properties of fibroblasts, and induce phenotypic changes in epithelial cells consistent with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Though these studies were performed in isolation, we identify multiple co-operative actions after assembling the results into a network. Construction of such networks will help identify disease-propelling hubs that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
Canadian Science Publishing