Novel molecular mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of IPF: human microRNA-506-Quaking axis as a master switch

A team of scientists of the Fraunhofer ITEM, the Hannover Medical School and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg has discovered a novel molecular regulatory axis that plays a decisive role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The focus is on the RNA-binding protein Quaking and its functional interplay with microRNAs. In-silico as well as in-vitro experiments in human lung fibroblasts revealed a novel regulatory microRNA-506-Quaking axis that contributes to IPF pathogenesis. The study has been published in Nature’s Scientific Reports. These findings open up new options for IPF therapies, for example based on RNA therapeutics or small molecules.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft