The Role of miRNAs in Healthy Lungs and Chronic Lung Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of the differential expression of miRNAs in various chronic lung diseases, such as interstitial pulmonary diseases, COPD, asthma, and lung neoplasms, compared to healthy lungs. This analysis highlights how these differential expression patterns in each pathology could serve as potential regulatory points and therapeutic targets.

miRNAs are key regulators of messenger RNAs, playing a crucial role in maintaining healthy lung function. Several studies have demonstrated how the differential expression of miRNAs disrupts well-established regulatory pathways in the lungs. Such disruptions may contribute to the development of diseases like interstitial lung diseases, COPD, asthma, and lung neoplasms, among others. In many cases, miRNA dysregulation occurs in clusters, such as miR-17-92, miR-23b-27b-24, and miR-34b.

In most published studies related to miRNAs in lung diseases, the mechanisms associated with the overexpression or decrease in miRNAs are not explored. There are post-transcriptional mechanisms that affect miRNA maturation, such as processing by DROSHA, DICER, or editing by ADAR, which influence the final levels of mature miRNA. Understanding these regulatory pathways could help identify strategies to restore normal miRNA levels in pulmonary diseases by modulating miRNA maturation processes.

This Special Issue invites manuscript submissions that explore the mechanisms underlying miRNA dysregulation and its impact on various pathways in healthy lungs. For example, the maturation process of miRNAs, from pri-miRNA to pre-miRNA, remains poorly explored. This process involves key regulators such as Drosha/DGCR8, Exportin, and Dicer. Additionally, the effects of RNA editing mechanisms, particularly those involving adenosine deaminases, are also insufficiently studied.

The general goal of this Special Issue is to enhance knowledge about the regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs and their relationship with pathological processes in the lungs.

Dr. Ángeles Carlos-Reyes (reyes_cardoso@yahoo.com, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias “Ismael Cosio Villegas”, Mexico City, Mexico.) is the Guest Editor Assistant, and Dr. Ángeles Carlos-Reyes helps manage this Special Issue.

Dr. Victor Ruiz
Guest Editor

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