MicroRNA Expression Profiling in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

描述(由申请人提供)： 特发性肺纤维化(IPF)是以肺部炎症和纤维化为主要特征的慢性间质性肺疾病。IPF的发病机制涉及多种细胞间的相互作用、多种信号转导途径的相互作用和基因调控。MicroRNA是一种非编码的~22个核苷酸的小RNA，与许多生物学过程和疾病有关。MicroRNAs调控~1/3的mRNAs。然而，关于miRNAs在IPF中的作用尚不清楚。我们假设miRNAs在IPF的发展过程中是动态调控的，这些miRNAs调控着与IPF发生相关的基因。使用miRNA微阵列，我们将对LTRC IPF样品进行microRNA微阵列分析。鉴定出的miRNAs将通过实时荧光聚合酶链式反应进行验证。选定的microRNAs的细胞定位将通过原位杂交来确定。这一初步研究将为进一步研究miRNAs在IPF中的功能奠定基础。公共卫生相关性：这项提议的完成将进一步加深我们对IPF发病机制的了解，并为开发新的治疗策略提供基础。(摘要结束)

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung diseases characterized by pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. The pathogenesis of IPF involves multiple cell-cell interactions, cross-talk of multiple signal transduction pathways and gene regulation. MicroRNA is a non-coding ~22-nucleotide small RNA implicated in many biological processes and diseases. MicroRNAs regulate ~ 1/3 of mRNAs. However, nothing is known regarding the role of miRNAs in IPF. We hypothesize that miRNAs are dys-regulated during the progression of IPF and that these miRNAs regulate genes responsible for the development of IPF. Using a miRNA microarray, we will perform microRNA microarray analyses of LTRC IPF samples. The identified miRNAs will be verified by real-time PCR. The cellular localizations of the selected microRNAs will be determined by in situ hybridization. This pilot study will provide the basis for further functional studies of miRNAs in IPF. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The completion of this proposal will further our knowledge about the pathogenesis of IPF as well as provide a baseboard for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. (End of Abstract)