MicroRNA Technology and Small-Molecule Delivery

Homeostasis of the body's small molecules is significant in health and disease. Homeostatic functions are in part regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). In regenerative medicine, therapeutic miRNAs may be ideally suited to restoring the network homeostasis of small molecules, such as adenosine or glucose, in this way affecting entire regulatory networks on a more holistic level. Therapeutic miRNAs can be introduced via ex vivo gene therapies, as illustrated here for adenosine, or directly via in vivo gene therapies, an interesting area that should be explored in future applications. This chapter discusses miRNA-based experimental approaches to harness the therapeutic potential of small molecules.