OncomiRs is a new open access journal from Emerging Science Journal program, launched recently by Versita.
The journal will publish original research articles and reviews covering all the basics aspects of the microRNAs implication in tumor formation and development as well as their role in the treatment sensitivity and resistance. The OncomiRs’ focus lies on the basic principles of microRNAs implication in the regulation of cellular processes like apoptosis, cell cycle control, metastatic dissemination, cellular senescence and immortalisation. A particular attention is given to microRNA-controlled regulation of cellular oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
The journal provides a unique opportunity for academics to highlight their research work in the single specialized microRNA and cancer research journal. Owing to Open Access model, manuscripts accepted for publication are immediately published on-line.
The implications of microRNAs in cancer biology is a topic that has emerged recently, but has already generated a considerable number of papers. The editors joined the efforts to position this journal as a natural publishing option for authors writing on oncomirs, and to establish it as a hub integrating the relevant research community. Key researchers have supported the journal as members of Editorial Advisory Board, among them: Prof.George Adrian Calin and Prof. Elsa Flores, both from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA; Prof. Clark Jeffries from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA or Prof. Adrian Harris from University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Journal Editor – Prof. Benjamin Ory, from Nantes University School of Medicine is positive that the OncomiRs should become the central publication venue for scientists and clinicians active in the field of microRNAs biology and cancer research. He comments: ‘the journal will facilitate the sharing and dissemination of significant contributions and timely research in the emerging field of microRNAs in cancer. Publishing in open access will doubtlessly bring about increased readership and interest from scientists and scholars alike’.
http://www.versita.com/oncom/
CINCINNATI, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Researchers have taken a critical step in understanding how allergic reactions occur after identifying a genetic signature for regulation of a key immune hormone, interleukin (IL-13).
Scientists from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center say the finding opens the potential for new molecular targets to treat allergic disease. They report on March 28 in Mucosal Immunology that a particular microRNA, miR-375, is regulated by IL-13, and in turns regulates how IL-13 induces pro-allergic changes, particularly in epithelial cells in the lung and esophagus.
The data support a role for miR-375 in asthma and in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a severe, often painful food allergy that renders children unable to eat a wide variety of foods. EoE can also cause weight loss, vomiting, heartburn and swallowing difficulties.
“The identification of a microRNA that regulates IL-13-induced changes and inflammatory pathways is a significant advancement for the understanding and future treatment of allergic disease,” says Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, senior investigator on the study and director of the Division of Allergy and Immunology and Center for Eosinophilic Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s. “MiR-375 is proof of principle that microRNAs are involved in fine-tuning IL-13-mediated responses, which opens up a set of new possibilities for novel therapeutic targets for treatment of allergic disease.”
IL-13 induces changes in epithelial gene and protein expression that are important in the onset of many allergic diseases, including EoE. Notably, expression of miR-375 was consistently [click to continue…]
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In this week’s issue of Nature , two researchers at the Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have published a review discussing the diverse contribution microRNA networks exhibit in cancer biology. Lujambio et. al. discuss both the oncogenic and tumor-suppressor roles microRNA have been attributed in the initiation and progression of multiple cancers. Discussion also focuses on microRNA as a driving/initiation factor in tumor biology and provides a thorough review of the dynamic between several microRNA genes and the TP53 tumor suppressor. The mouse model system is highlighted as a very useful tool validating and investigating the in vivo role specific microRNA contribute to tumor development and risk. The review concludes with a discussion concerning the potential roles of RNAi technology and its use as a therapeutic tool in cancer treatment.
The authors present insights into several areas of microRNA cancer research that requires further investigation in the near future, including: the impact of expression variation of several components of the microRNA biogenesis machinery, the direct role of microRNA epigenetic regulation of chromosomal DNA, and designing effective and safe microRNA drug-delivery systems. These three areas are highlighted by the authors as important steps into elucidating the total impact and use of microRNA biology in cancer development and treatment. Undoubtedly, further research in these areas will greatly enhance what is already know about microRNA regulation in cancer biology and may provide novel avenues for drug therapies.
Lujambio, A. and S.W. Lowe, The microcosmos of cancer.
Nature. 482(7385): p. 347-55.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=the%20microcosmos%20of%20cancer
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In order to better understand microRNAs of interest it is of utmost importance to learn about the genomic conservation of these genes. The miRviewer web-server encompasses all known (and some novel) microRNAs of currently fully annotated animal genomes in a visual ‘birds-eye’ view representation. miRviewer provides a graphical outlook of the current microRNA world together with sequence alignments and secondary structures of each microRNA. As a test case the expression of several microRNAs in various animals were experimentally validated. Therefore miRviewer completes the homologous microRNA space with hundreds of unreported microRNAs.
miRviewer is available at: http://people.csail.mit.edu/akiezun/miRviewer
miRviewer: A multispecies microRNA homologous viewer.
Kiezun A, Artzi S, Modai S, Volk N, Isakov O, Shomron N.
BMC Res Notes. 2012 Feb 13;5(1):92. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 22330228 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22330228
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-New study published in Science Translational Medicine demonstrates microRNA-21 contributes to fibrogenesis in the kidney
-Regulus, in partnership with Sanofi, developing novel anti-fibrotic therapies targeting microRNAs
B.N. Chau et al.
“MicroRNA-21 Promotes Fibrosis of the Kidney by Silencing Metabolic Pathways”
Sci Transl Med 15 February 2012:
Vol. 4, Issue 121, p. 121ra18
Sci. Transl. Med. DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003205
http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/4/121/121ra18
LA JOLLA, Calif., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, today announced that new preclinical data investigating the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the treatment of kidney fibrosis has been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Regulus’ lead program for fibrosis targets miR-21, which is up-regulated in fibrotic tissues of humans. Previous preclinical studies by Regulus scientists and collaborators have shown that therapeutic oligonucleotides targeting miR-21 (anti-miR-21) can decrease fibrosis in preclinical models by reducing the expression of extracellular matrix proteins. Despite the current burden of fibrosis-related human disease, there are few therapies that can specifically treat this devastating disease.
“We are pleased with the published results demonstrating that targeting miR-21 with proprietary anti-miR oligonucleotides is effective at preventing kidney fibrosis in preclinical models,” said Neil W. Gibson, Ph.D., Regulus’ Chief Scientific Officer. ”We plan to select an anti-miR-21 development candidate [click to continue…]
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