The Potential Role of Serum and Exhaled Breath Condensate miRNAs in Diagnosis and Predicting Exacerbations in Pediatric Asthma

Abstract

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of the respiratory system in children and the number of new cases is constantly increasing. It is characterized by dyspnea, wheezing, tightness in the chest, or coughing. Due to diagnostic difficulties, disease monitoring, and the selection of safe and effective drugs, it has been shown that among the youngest patients, miRNAs fulfilling the above roles can be successfully used in common clinical practice. These biomolecules, by regulating the expression of the body’s genes, influence various biological processes underlying the pathogenesis of asthma, such as the inflammatory process, remodeling, and intensification of airway obstruction. They can be detected in blood serum and in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Among children, common factors responsible for the onset or exacerbation of asthma, such as infections, allergens, air pollution, or tobacco smoke present in the home environment, cause a change the concentration of miRNAs in the body. This is related to their significant impact on the modulation of the disease process. In the following paper, we review the latest knowledge on miRNAs and their use, especially as diagnostic markers in assessing asthma exacerbation, with particular emphasis on the pediatric population.