[tshadow]

My uncle sent me this from Scientific American. I have not read all of it yet. Does anyone "get it" for any application to us?

MicroRNAs and Disease

Two Reports in Science this month highlighted the promise of modulating specific microRNAs from the treatment of a debilitating neurodegenerative disease and a chronic viral infection.

-- Williams et al. (11 Dec 2009)

found that a small noncoding RNA expressed in skeletal muscle, miR-206, promotes nerve-muscle interactions in response to motor neuron injury and slows the progression of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in mice. An accompanying Perspective by R.H. Brown noted that the findings "provide insight into the molecular basis of neuromuscular junction plasticity in the adult and also into determinants of rates of disease progression in motor neuron disease."
-- Lanford et al. (published online 3 Dec 2009) reported that therapeutic silencing of a microRNA required for hepatitis C virus infection (miR-122) reduces disease symptoms in chimpanzees (see the related ScienceNOW story by M. Enserink). The team showed that treatment with a compound called SPC3649 -- a short piece of artificial DNA that blocks miR-122 -- lead to long-lasting suppression of hepatitis C infection with no evidence of viral resistance or side effects in the treated animals. Senior author Henrik Ørum discussed the work in a related podcast interview.


I see the links aren't working. If you want the links I will send you an email with link capability. Just PM me with your email address. I won't keep your address unless you want me to...I adhere to privacy...

[astern]

Hi Tam,

It might apply to regenerating damaged nerve tissue? I personally wouldn't want to mess around with changing my RNA (or DNA) until it's had human trials. I'm not a guinea pig anymore!

It does show that your Uncle is trying to learn about your condition and/or offer some newfound help. He cares - that's a step in the right direction.

Wishing you pain-free days!
Anne

[tshadow]

You know how incredibly animal sensitive I have become -

I am now vegetarian, and I have my home aide buy me those fake veggie chicken bites...etc.

But when I read that where they hurt chimpanzees (give them Hep C) and rats, it almost really made me cry because I don't want chimps hurt, even for me...I am a total peta person!!! Oh, I know they solve diseases this way...but it did make me cry. Silly, huh.