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Cells
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RNA in Focus
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RNA in Focus

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Nuclei: Function, Transport and Receptors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2024) | Viewed by 2604

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Bin Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Interests: RNA; translation; transcription; single molecule imaging; fluorescence imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

RNA has versatile biological functions. It may directly store genetic information, serve as a genetic intermediate to be translated into functional protein, guide the protein to its target, or fold into unique structures and act as switches and enzymes. Advanced biochemical, biophysical, and genomic tools have been developed to measure the identity, structures, function, and distribution of RNAs in vitro and in vivo. We have witnessed an explosion of basic research and application of RNA in recent years. With improved mechanistic understanding and advanced chemical tools, RNA has become an increasingly popular biomedical and biotechnological agent.

In this Special Issue of Cells, I invite you to contribute original research, reviews, or short perspective articles related to RNA. Expert articles describing and applying innovative biochemical, biophysical, molecular biological tools to study RNA structure, function, imaging, as well as RNA therapeutics, are highly welcome. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:

  • RNA localization;
  • mRNA translation and regulation;
  • RNA modification;
  • Non-coding RNAs;
  • RNA therapeutics;
  • RNA nanotechnology.

Dr. Bin Wu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • RNA localization
  • mRNA translation and regulation
  • RNA modification
  • non-coding RNAs
  • RNA therapeutics
  • RNA nanotechnology

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1765 KiB  
Article
Cholesterol-Modified Anti-Il6 siRNA Reduces the Severity of Acute Lung Injury in Mice
by Ivan V. Chernikov, Irina K. Bachkova, Aleksandra V. Sen’kova, Mariya I. Meschaninova, Innokenty A. Savin, Valentin V. Vlassov, Marina A. Zenkova and Elena L. Chernolovskaya
Cells 2024, 13(9), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13090767 - 30 Apr 2024
Viewed by 391
Abstract
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) holds significant therapeutic potential by silencing target genes through RNA interference. Current clinical applications of siRNA have been primarily limited to liver diseases, while achievements in delivery methods are expanding their applications to various organs, including the lungs. Cholesterol-conjugated [...] Read more.
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) holds significant therapeutic potential by silencing target genes through RNA interference. Current clinical applications of siRNA have been primarily limited to liver diseases, while achievements in delivery methods are expanding their applications to various organs, including the lungs. Cholesterol-conjugated siRNA emerges as a promising delivery approach due to its low toxicity and high efficiency. This study focuses on developing a cholesterol-conjugated anti-Il6 siRNA and the evaluation of its potency for the potential treatment of inflammatory diseases using the example of acute lung injury (ALI). The biological activities of different Il6-targeted siRNAs containing chemical modifications were evaluated in J774 cells in vitro. The lead cholesterol-conjugated anti-Il6 siRNA after intranasal instillation demonstrated dose-dependent therapeutic effects in a mouse model of ALI induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The treatment significantly reduced Il6 mRNA levels, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the severity of lung inflammation. IL6 silencing by cholesterol-conjugated siRNA proves to be a promising strategy for treating inflammatory diseases, with potential applications beyond the lungs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue RNA in Focus)
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Review

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18 pages, 924 KiB  
Review
Harnessing Extracellular microRNAs for Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Acute Systemic Inflammation
by Russell Hollis, Monowar Aziz, Asha Jacob and Ping Wang
Cells 2024, 13(6), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13060545 - 19 Mar 2024
Viewed by 822
Abstract
Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small sequences of genetic materials that are primarily transcribed from the intronic regions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNAs), and they are pivotal in regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. miRNAs were first discovered to regulate mRNAs of the same cell in [...] Read more.
Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small sequences of genetic materials that are primarily transcribed from the intronic regions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNAs), and they are pivotal in regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. miRNAs were first discovered to regulate mRNAs of the same cell in which they were transcribed. Recent studies have unveiled their ability to traverse cells, either encapsulated in vesicles or freely bound to proteins, influencing distant recipient cells. Activities of extracellular miRNAs have been observed during acute inflammation in clinically relevant pathologies, such as sepsis, shock, trauma, and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. This review comprehensively explores the activity of miRNAs during acute inflammation as well as the mechanisms of their extracellular transport and activity. Evaluating the potential of extracellular miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in acute inflammation represents a critical aspect of this review. Finally, this review concludes with novel concepts of miRNA activity in the context of alleviating inflammation, delivering potential future directions to advance the field of miRNA therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue RNA in Focus)
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26 pages, 1399 KiB  
Review
Emerging Roles and Mechanisms of RNA Modifications in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Glioma
by Ami Kobayashi, Yosuke Kitagawa, Ali Nasser, Hiroaki Wakimoto, Keisuke Yamada and Shota Tanaka
Cells 2024, 13(5), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13050457 - 5 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
Despite a long history of research, neurodegenerative diseases and malignant brain tumor gliomas are both considered incurable, facing challenges in the development of treatments. Recent evidence suggests that RNA modifications, previously considered as static components of intracellular RNAs, are in fact dynamically regulated [...] Read more.
Despite a long history of research, neurodegenerative diseases and malignant brain tumor gliomas are both considered incurable, facing challenges in the development of treatments. Recent evidence suggests that RNA modifications, previously considered as static components of intracellular RNAs, are in fact dynamically regulated across various RNA species in cells and play a critical role in major biological processes in the nervous system. Innovations in next-generation sequencing have enabled the accurate detection of modifications on bases and sugars within various RNA molecules. These RNA modifications influence the stability and transportation of RNA, and crucially affect its translation. This review delves into existing knowledge on RNA modifications to offer a comprehensive inventory of these modifications across different RNA species. The detailed regulatory functions and roles of RNA modifications within the nervous system are discussed with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases and gliomas. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental mechanisms and emerging roles of RNA modifications in these diseases, which can facilitate the creation of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for these conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue RNA in Focus)
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