Targeting respiratory diseases using miRNA inhibitor based nanotherapeutics: Current status and future perspectives

Abstract

<p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a fundamental role in the developmental and physiological processes that occur in both animals and plants. <i>AntagomiRs</i> are synthetic antagonists of miRNA, which prevent the target mRNA from suppression. Therapeutic approaches that modulate miRNAs have immense potential in the treatment of chronic respiratory disorders. However, the successful delivery of miRNAs/<i>antagomiRs</i> to the lungs remains a major challenge in clinical applications. A range of materials, namely, polymer nanoparticles, lipid nanocapsules and inorganic nanoparticles, has shown promising results for intracellular delivery of miRNA in chronic respiratory disorders. This review discusses the current understanding of miRNA biology, the biological roles of <i>antagomiRs</i> in chronic respiratory disease and the recent advances in the therapeutic utilization of </i>antagomiRs</i> as disease biomarkers. Furthermore our review provides a common platform to debate on the nature of antagomiRs and also addresses the viewpoint on the new generation of delivery systems that target <i>antagomiRs</i> in respiratory diseases.</p>