Parents whose children suffer from rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis have good news to share.
The research team, led by Dr. Lee Joo Seong and Dr. Yoo Young of Korea University College of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, and Dr. Yoon Won Seok of the Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, revealed that they had found a gene regulatory substance known as “miR-4497” that was frequently decreased in pediatric allergic diseases.
This discovery could significantly change the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. One microRNA (ribonucleic acid) that controls gene expression and is crucial in reducing allergic inflammation is miR-4497.
At Korea University Anam Hospital, the research team obtained serum samples from 68 pediatric allergy patients (42 with atopic dermatitis, 13 with allergic rhinitis, and 13 with asthma) and 10 healthy controls. They examined the microRNA expression in these patients and discovered that miR-4497 was significantly lower.
Using animal models and cell experiments, miR-4497 injected IL-4, macrophage-derived chemokines (MDC), and other chemicals that cause allergic inflammation, considerably decreasing bronchial resistance. Specifically, miR-4497 demonstrated the ability to suppress the Th2 immune response, effectively controlling allergic inflammation.
Dr. Yoo stated that “miR-4497 is a new biomarker that was previously unknown and is an important clue that can explain the common molecular mechanism of allergic diseases. ” Since it is highly likely to be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in the future, we will expand the possibility of clinical application through research that considers race, age, and severity.”
The findings of this study, which was carried out with assistance from the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute and the National Research Foundation of Korea, were released in the most recent issue of the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.
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