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Table 1. microRNAs described in this review
Model system microRNAs References
Murine let-7 family, miR-9, miR-21, miR-23-27-24 cluster, miR-26a, miR-27a, miR-126, [33-58,60-67,85,92,94]
miR-127, miR-145, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-167, miR-198, miR-200 family, miR-
221, miR-223-3p, miR-485-3p
Human: serum let-7 family, miR-15a, miR-15b, miR-16, miR-21, miR-26a, miR-30b, miR-30d, miR- [68,73,77-79,93,108]
126-3p, miR-128-3p, miR-138-5p, miR-139-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-145, miR-146b-
5p, miR-186-5p, miR-191-5p, mir-199a-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-206, miR-223-3p,
miR-296-5p, miR-338, miR-342-3p, miR-374a-5p, miR-409-3p, miR-454-3p, miR-
548b-5p, miR-660-5p, miR-720, miR-942-5p, miR-1227-3p, miR-1248, miR-1290
Human: plasma miR-16, miR-21, miR-26a, miR-27a, miR-34/449, miR-146a, miR-148a, miR-150, [66,69,85,91,92,94,99,106]
miR-181b-5p, mir-199a-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-299-5p, miR-570
Human: bronchoalveolar lavage let-7 family, miR-19a, miR-21, miR-155, miR-200 family [85,95,96]
fluid
Human: exhaled breath let-7 family, miR-155, miR-200 family [82,95]
condensates
Human: sputum miR-9, miR-15a, miR-142-3p, miR-145, miR-155, miR-199a-5p, miR-223-3p, miR- [83,98,99,108]
338, miR-629-3p
Human: peripheral blood miR-22-3p, miR-513a-5p, miR-625-5p [71]
Human: blood lymphocytes let-7 family, miR-98, miR-221, miR-485-3p, miR-497 [65,72]
Human: peripheral blood miR-323-3p [110]
mononuclear cells
Human: CD4+ T cells miR-15a, miR-15b, miR-20a, miR-145, miR-155 [73,109]
Human: CD8+ T cells miR-28-5p, miR-146a, miR-146b [103]
Human: B cells miR-98 [89]
Human: neutrophils miR-199a-5p [99]
Human: alveolar macrophages miR-9, miR-150, miR-152, miR-375 [99,102]
Human: nasal mucosa let-7 family, miR-18a, miR-126-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-155, miR-187, miR-224, miR- [84]
498, miR-874, miR-886-3p
Human: airway smooth muscle miR-16, miR-19a, miR-30d, miR-143-3p, miR-146a, miR-221 [77,88,90,104,105]
Human: bronchial epithelial cells miR-19a, miR-34/449, miR-106a, miR-126, miR-145, miR-181b-5p, miR-200b/c, [87,91,95,96,98,106,107,111]
miR-203, miR-629-3p
Human: bronchial biopsy let-7 family, miR-223-3p [98,101]
The microRNAs (miRNAs) listed are those described in detail within the review. Lists of miRNAs found by array or next generation
sequencing were not included

bind a single target and it is still unclear how to best predict these interactions. In the future, we may need
to focus on miRNA signatures, i.e., several miRNAs showing a similar phenotype, such as downregulation
under a specific stimuli - rather than the effect of an individual species. As more studies are performed,
hopefully a large and reliable miRNA interactome database will be developed to further targeted research.
Regardless, there is currently a plethora of potential asthma biomarkers identified that would benefit from
in-depth mechanistic study to unravel their importance in asthma pathogenesis.

Over the past decade the study of asthma-associated miRNAs has risen dramatically. Although these
small regulatory molecules have certainly begun to show their potential to help us better understand
the mechanisms of the disease, the field must not forget the basics. Currently, many studies are difficult
to compare due to a lack of defined, published patient characteristics. As pointed out above, asthma is
not a homogeneous disease and as the field grows, the number of endotypes grows along with it. When
performing studies, especially those of a mechanistic nature, it is becoming increasingly important to
provide clear and thorough definitions of cohort subjects. Thus, we as co-workers in this field can not only
help each other, but work in a smarter fashion to help the patients living with asthma.

CONCLUSION
Although the miRNA field has been steadily growing over the past twenty years, the role of miRNAs in the
development and regulation of asthma remains relatively unexplored. Through the use of animal models, we