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REVIEW ARTICLE

A comprehensive review of clinical advances in the antifibrotic role of micro-RNA in pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis

Bhaskar Pal1,2* ,  Said Afredi1 ,  Krishan Maity3 ,  Kushal Roychoudhuri1
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1 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Charaktala College of Pharmacy, Debipur, West Bengal, India
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Durgapur, West Bengal, India
JCTR, 025080009 https://doi.org/10.36922/JCTR025080009
Submitted: 17 February 2025 | Revised: 5 March 2025 | Accepted: 3 April 2025 | Published: 24 April 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background: Pneumonia is a common respiratory infection affecting millions of people worldwide and often leads to serious complications such as pulmonary fibrosis – a progressive disorder recognized by persistent scarring, alveolar thickening, impaired gas exchange, and reduced lung capacity. The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis remains complex and poorly understood. A hallmark feature is the buildup of extracellular matrix disrupting the normal architecture and function of the lung parenchyma, ultimately causing irreversible lung damage. At present, there is no known remedy for pulmonary fibrosis, and the existing treatments are often limited in efficacy and associated with adverse effects. This underscores the urgent need to identify novel molecular targets and therapeutic approaches for this debilitating condition. Aim: This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the pharmacotherapeutic potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) in reducing fibrosis associated with pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. It highlights the signaling mechanisms through which miRNAs regulate gene expression, as well as their role in maintaining lung development and homeostasis. The review also identifies the specific miRNAs with antifibrotic effects as demonstrated in experimental models and clinical settings. Finally, it discusses the key challenges in developing miRNA-based therapies, including delivery strategies and off-target effects. Methods: The study entailed a thorough literature review on antifibrotic effect of mi-RNA in pneumonia and lung fibrosis, conducted through the electronic searches on Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases. Results: In his study we provide a recent finding on antifibrotic activity of miRNA in pulmonary complications. Moreover, the evidences from animal and clinical researches are also discussed. This may further help scholars, practitioners, and legislators who are interested to do the research on mi-RNA therapies in clinical practice. Conclusion: In conclusion, miRNA-based diagnostics and therapies represent a promising frontier for the management of pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. Further research is warranted to deepen our understanding of miRNA mechanisms in the therapeutic context. Relevance for patients: Advances in therapies for pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis can enhance treatment efficacy, aiding in the mitigation and treatment of the disease.

Keywords
Pneumonia
Pulmonary fibrosis
Myofibroblasts
Pharmacotherapeutics
MicroRNA
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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