Using mouse models, researchers from Yale University and miRagen Therapeutics have shown that miR-29 blocks and reverses pulmonary fibrosis.
Yale University researchers are studying a potential new treatment that reverses the effects of pulmonary fibrosis, a respiratory disease in which scars develop in the lungs and severely hamper breathing.
The treatment uses a microRNA mimic, miR-29, which is delivered to lung tissue intravenously. In mouse models, miR-29 not only blocked pulmonary fibrosis, it reversed fibrosis after several days.
The findings were published September 19 in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine.
“The mimic, when injected into the blood, goes to the lung and it has a sustained effect. We are very impressed that it can reverse fibrosis, not only prevent it,” said Naftali Kaminski, M.D., a professor at Yale School of Medicine and section chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. He is the corresponding author of the study.
The research is a collaboration between Yale and miRagen Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company based in Boulder, Colorado. The company had developed miR-29 previously as a possible therapy for cardiac disease. Kaminski, whose group pioneered research in microRNA in lung fibrosis, saw the potential for use of miR-29 in pulmonary fibrosis, as did Eva van Rooij, the scientist who discovered the role for miR-29 in cardiac fibrosis and is a senior co-author on the paper.
“I’m particularly excited about working with this microRNA,” said van Rooij, who now is at the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands. “All evidence points to it being a master regulator of fibrosis.”
The next step, Kaminski said, will be to begin evaluating miR-29 as a therapeutic for human Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Once considered a rare disease, IPF now affects more than 200,000 people in the United States, where about 30,000 people die from IPF every year. The median survival from diagnosis is 3-5 years, and despite recent promising advances there is no intervention that reverses the disease.
Reference: “MicroRNA mimicry blocks pulmonary fibrosis” by Rusty L Montgomery, Guoying Yu, Paul A Latimer, Christianna Stack, Kathryn Robinson, Christina M Dalby, Naftali Kaminski and Eva van Rooij, 19 September 2014, EMBO Molecular Medicine.
DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201303604
Never miss a breakthrough: Join the SciTechDaily newsletter.
Follow us on Google and Google News.
19 Comments
So glad to hear this. When I was reading about lung fibrosis I was surprised to learn that it could not be reversed. We public had been told that cessation of smoking could reverse lung damage in 5 years and I did not see why fibrosis could not. I suspect there is an environmental contaminant that hinders lung fibrosis reversal. Perhaps fluoride in our water?
I have had lung fibrosis for years after living in N WI where fungal pneumonia is rampant, blastomycosis. I have been diligent in banning sugars, and adhering to spring water. Various amino acids and herbals added. I still have fibrosis but is responding well.
Could you tell me what herbals & amino acids you use that’s beneficial
Thank you 🙏
Love to get in a trial with this. I was diagnosed in 2018 and have been going down hill while taking Pierfenidone. My pulmonologist is suggesting a lung transplant, since the fibrosis continues to attack my lungs.
How is he doing using these herbs?
To whom it may concern, please email me new information related to pulmonary fibrosis. thanks very much.
I am wondering if COPD could be reversed with the treatments that reversed Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
My husband just got IPF and his NP is trying to find him the right doctor today .we’re choosing Boston. His NP said this came on him fast. So where do we turn ?
I would love to hear of any new treatments for pulmonary fibrosis. If only to give me some hope
I have IPF over 3 years. I hope you can give me information about the multivitamin herabl remedy.
Hi kindly check up on their website for more info multivitamincare org
have IPF . I hope you can give me information about the multivitamin herabl remedy. Or a new treatment thank you
How can I access this herb
Frank Roland,your story seems too good to be true.I hope you are saying the truth.If this is really true,it will help my 25 year old daughter.But I don’t want to give false hopes.That is a sin
My daughter is dying from cold right this minute .she’d in Maine and unresponsive.shes 53 .her doctor said she has hours .
I had chronic Idiopathic pulmonary disease (IPF) for eight years. My first symptoms were dry cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. My first chest x-ray only showed bronchitis. Finally, I went to a pulmonologist and was diagnosed with IPF. I never thought I could get rid of this lung disease until I found devinegreenplus.com. Their natural herbal supplement is 100% guaranteed.
Please keep me informed! I would be willing to try this!