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causes and respond differently to medications. There is a lack of biomarkers to categorize patients into these
phenotypes, which hampers our ability to effectively diagnose and treat asthma. Our work demonstrated
that blood miRNAs are capable of objectively categorizing patients in different phenotypes, which may
tell us about the molecular mechanisms of these forms of asthma and allow us to better tailor treatment
[3]
for each patient (personalized therapy) . It is interesting to note that many of the miRNAs discussed by
[2]
Weidner et al. were candidates we identified in the biomarker study, indicating that these are functional
biomarkers that may also serve as therapeutic targets.

[4]
The article by Bhardwaj further extends the miRNA research to atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin disease .
Many of the asthma candidate miRNAs emerged as players in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis,
suggesting that miRNA pathways may be de-regulated in the skin in an analogous manner to the airways
[5]
in asthma. Along these lines, Lambert et al. reviewed the current literature on miRNAs in eosinophilic
esophagitis, a relatively new disease whose pathogenesis is poorly characterized. A panel of miRNAs was
found to be de-regulated in inflamed esophageal tissue, and mechanistic studies suggest that they regulate
allergic cytokine signaling. Together, these studies demonstrate the potential importance of miRNAs as
pathogenic mediators and biomarkers of allergic disease. Translational approaches using mouse models
and humans have produced findings that have direct clinical relevance. Many miRNAs were implicated in
common across organ-specific allergic diseases, suggesting that targeting them for therapeutics could present
a strategy to treat a broad spectrum of allergic diseases.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
The author contributed solely to the article.

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
The author declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019.

REFERENCES
1. Pawankar RS, Sanchez-Borges M, Bonini S, Kaliner MA. The burden of allergic diseases. In: Pawankar R, Canonica GW, Holgate ST,
Lockey RF, editors. White book on allergy 2011-2012 executive summary. Milwaukee: World Allergy Organization; 2011. pp. 27-74.
2. Weidner J, Malmhäll C, Rådinger M. microRNAs in asthma pathogenesis - from mouse to man. J Transl Genet Genom 2019;3:2.
3. Zhang S, Laryea Z, Panganiban R, Lambert K, Hsu D, et al. Plasma microRNA profiles identify distinct clinical phenotypes in human
asthmatics. J Transl Genet Genom 2018;2:18.
4. Bhardwaj N. MicroRNAs in atopic dermatitis: a review. J Transl Genet Genom 2017;1:15-22.
5. Lambert KA, Jhaveri P, Jhaveri P. Biomarkers and therapeutic targets: microRNA roles in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management
of eosinophilic esophagitis. J Transl Genet Genom 2018;2:11.