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Eating microRNAs: pharmacological opportunities for cross‐kingdom regulation and implications in host gene and gut microbiota modulation
Author(s) -
PozoAcebo Lorena,
López de las Hazas MaríaCarmen,
Margollés Abelardo,
Dávalos Alberto,
GarcíaRuiz Almudena
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.15421
Subject(s) - microrna , biology , gut flora , extracellular vesicles , extracellular vesicle , host (biology) , computational biology , microvesicles , gene , bioinformatics , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , immunology
Cross‐kingdom communication via non‐coding RNAs is a recent discovery. Exogenous microRNAs (exog‐miRNAs) mainly enter the host via the diet. Generally considered unstable in the gastrointestinal tract, some exogenous RNAs may resist these conditions, especially if transported in extracellular vesicles. They could then reach the intestines and more probably exert a regulatory effect. We give an overview of recent discoveries concerning dietary miRNAs, possible ways of enhancing their resistance to food processing and gut conditions, their transport in extracellular vesicles (animal‐ and plant‐origin) and possible biological effects on recipient cells after ingestion. We critically focus on what we believe are the most relevant data for future pharmacological development of dietary miRNAs as therapeutic agents. Finally, we discuss the miRNA‐mediated cross‐kingdom regulation between diet, host and the gut microbiota. We conclude that, despite many obstacles and challenges, extracellular miRNAs are serious candidates to be targeted pharmacologically for development of new therapeutic agents.