MicroRNAs for the pediatric otolaryngologist

The scope of pediatric otolaryngology is broad and encompasses a wide variety of diseases in which the fundamental phenotype-causing abnormality exists at the level of gene regulation and expression. Development of novel molecular biology instruments to diagnose disease, monitor treatment response, and prevent recurrence will facilitate the delivery of appropriate surgical and adjuvant medical treatments with lower morbidity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a relatively new class of molecules that directly modulate gene expression and are abnormally expressed in a multitude of disease processes including those within the scope of pediatric otolaryngology. Functionally, miRNAs control multiple cellular functions including angiogenesis, cell proliferation, cell survival, genome stability, and inflammation. These short, non-protein coding RNA molecules are present and stable in tissue, blood, saliva, and urine, making them ideal disease biomarkers. The simple structure of miRNAs and their ability to directly modulate the expression of specific genes lends exciting therapeutic potential to miRNA-based therapies. Here we review the current literature of miRNAs as it relates to diseases within the scope of pediatric otolaryngology, and discuss their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.