Conclusion
miRNA research, thus far, has led to a breadth of information and long
lists of potentially interesting miRNAs, but mechanistic studies of
miRNA targeting and function are only beginning to emerge. Furthermore,
it is unlikely that one miRNA alone holds the key to explain the
pathology of asthma or allergic diseases, as it is not possible to
outline a single trigger. More likely, there are numerous players and
complex networks of interactions that lead not only to disease
pathogenesis, but also to heterogeneity, making mechanistic insight into
the roles of miRNAs all the more important going forward. We propose
that understanding common triggers for changes in miRNA expression in
distinct cell populations, at defined disease stages and in specific
phenotypes, together with assessing the net effects of miRNAs will help
to decipher the pathophysiological consequences of altered miRNA
expression in allergic diseases. Nonetheless, we have provided important
evidence highlighting a crucial role of miRNA in the pathogenesis of
asthma and allergic disease, making them interesting targets for
clinical investigations. Besides therapeutic strategies to target single
miRNA123,124,134,156-158,
there is increasing interest in using miRNA profiles as biomarkers for
(lung)
disease48,58,62,159-163,
which we will address in detail in a future review.