Key Points<\/h2>\n\n- An international study has revealed that tiny fragments of RNA play a critical role in keeping the immune system in check, preventing inflammation<\/li>\n
- This discovery, published in Nature Immunology<\/em> opens new possibilities for treating autoimmune diseases like lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis<\/li>\n
- Historically, these tiny RNA fragments (between 1 and 3 bases long) were thought to be biological waste<\/li>\n
- Previous discoveries of short RNA fragments (around 16-20 bases long) have been seen as major scientific advances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n\n
Professor Michael Gantier\u2019s<\/a> latest research, published in Nature Immunology<\/a><\/em>, builds on the Nobel prize winning discoveries of microRNA (2024) and siRNAs (2006), except where those molecules contain around 20 bases, these very short RNA fragments can be as small as 1-3 bases.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo why are these tiny fragments of RNA so important? Prof Gantier explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter systematic screening of hundreds of synthetic RNA molecules, we discovered that very short RNA fragments could bind to sensors of our immune system and block their activation,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is the shortest class of RNAs ever reported to have a biological function (around 6 times shorter than Nobel Prize winning microRNAs!)\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RNA fragments potential for lupus and psoriasis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These findings have enormous significance for the development of new treatments for common autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prof Gantier\u2019s lab at Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne led an international team of experts from across Australia, as well as Japan, the UK and the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But they didn\u2019t just identify RNA fragments binding to immune sensors; they also revealed for the first time that they play crucial roles in controlling dangerous inflammation<\/a>, especially in autoimmune conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCritical role protecting the body<\/h2>\n\n\n
Professor Michael Gantier\u2019s<\/a> latest research, published in Nature Immunology<\/a><\/em>, builds on the Nobel prize winning discoveries of microRNA (2024) and siRNAs (2006), except where those molecules contain around 20 bases, these very short RNA fragments can be as small as 1-3 bases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So why are these tiny fragments of RNA so important? Prof Gantier explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter systematic screening of hundreds of synthetic RNA molecules, we discovered that very short RNA fragments could bind to sensors of our immune system and block their activation,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is the shortest class of RNAs ever reported to have a biological function (around 6 times shorter than Nobel Prize winning microRNAs!)\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These findings have enormous significance for the development of new treatments for common autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prof Gantier\u2019s lab at Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne led an international team of experts from across Australia, as well as Japan, the UK and the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But they didn\u2019t just identify RNA fragments binding to immune sensors; they also revealed for the first time that they play crucial roles in controlling dangerous inflammation<\/a>, especially in autoimmune conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRNA fragments potential for lupus and psoriasis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Critical role protecting the body<\/h2>\n\n\n
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