microRNA

Heather Pua, MD, PhD, and Neil Sprenkle, PhD, have discovered a protective role for microRNAs in immune cell macrophages during obesity, potentially opening new therapeutic avenues.
September 5, 2023

MicroRNAs in immune cells help protect against metabolic defects in obesity: study

Vanderbilt researchers have demonstrated that a cluster of microRNAs — small pieces of RNA that regulate gene expression — work in a type of immune cells called macrophages to help protect against metabolic defects in obesity.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 6, 2023

MicroRNAs linked to lipid damage

VUMC researchers have linked microRNAs with systemic lipid peroxidation, a discovery that could point to new therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases.

By Sarah E. Glass
March 9, 2021

Markers for breast cancer progression

Vanderbilt researchers clarify how a microRNA associated with triple-negative breast cancer survival inhibits cancer progression, suggesting new treatment strategies.

By Sarah E. Glass
array of test tubes with pipette dropping fluid into one
January 31, 2019

Destructive ‘telegrams’ in asthma

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered that certain microRNAs — “telegram”-like signals — increase after the induction of allergic airway inflammation.

By Bill Snyder
3d rendering white blood cells with red blood cells
May 9, 2018

Putting the brakes on sepsis

An enzyme called PTEN reduces inflammatory signaling and mortality in sepsis, suggesting it may be a good therapeutic target for this life-threatening complication of infection.

By Leigh MacMillan
Close up on the left eye of a black man
April 10, 2018

Aqueous humor, microRNAs and glaucoma

New findings highlight microRNAs — molecules that regulate gene expression — that are differentially expressed in glaucoma and could be candidate biomarkers or targets for therapy.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 28, 2016

An Argonaute’s voyage to cancer

A genetic mutation that promotes cancer development blocks the normal sorting of a protein called “Argonaute 2.”
By Bill Snyder
January 27, 2016

Study identifies new culprit in lung cancer development

A microRNA — a small piece of RNA involved in regulating gene expression — functions as an oncogene to drive the development of lung cancer, Vanderbilt University investigators have discovered.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 13, 2013

Molecular circuits in ovarian cancer

Vanderbilt researchers have used bioinformatics analysis of gene expression data to describe molecular “circuits” that drive ovarian cancer.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 9, 2012

Network approach yields glioblastoma clues

MicroRNA “regulatory networks” generated at Vanderbilt aid search for biomarkers and new drugs to treat glioblastoma, the most common and lethal primary brain tumor.
By Bill Snyder