MicroRNAs Implicated in Dysregulation of Gene Expression Following Human Lung Transplantation

Lung transplantation remains the only viable treatment option for the majority of patients with advanced lung diseases. However, 5-year post-transplant survival rates remain low primarily secondary to chronic rejection. Novel insights from global gene expression profiles may provide molecular phenotypes and therapeutic targets to improve outcomes after lung transplantation. We showed the presence of a significant number of dysregulated genes, particularly those genes involved in pathways and biological processes such as immune response and defense, in the PBMCs derived from a cohort of patients after lung transplantation. The contribution of miRNAs in regulating these differential genes was also demonstrated.