Reseach of the RNA Biology Research Group

The main focus

Our ongoing research projects aim to elucidate the functions of RNA-based mechanisms in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and asthma. Specifically, we are interested in how miRNAs and RNA modifications regulate immune and epithelial cell responses, epithelial barrier functions, and proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells in these diseases. Our second research goal is to develop more efficient and safe delivery methods for potentially therapeutic miRNAs and mRNA into immune cells and inflamed epithelium using cell-penetrating peptides. Additionally, we participate in collaborative projects that seek to discover and functionally characterize novel molecular factors involved in the development of chronic inflammatory skin diseases and asthma.

Grants

• Estonian Research Council: Adjustment of tissue-specific immune responses in chronic inflammatory diseases by miRNAs (Professor Ana Rebane, GMVBS21063PR, 01.01.2021−31.12.2025)
• European Commission, Horizon2020: Biomarkers in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis (Professor Ana Rebane, MMVBS19122, 01.04.2019−31.03.2025)
• Estonian Research Council: Precision targeting of infiltrative glioblastoma (Research Fellow Pavel Kudrin, 01.09.2022−31.08.2024, SMVBS22358)

Recent publications

1. Vaher H, Kingo K, Kolberg P, Pook M, Raam L, Laanesoo A, Remm A, Tenson T, Alasoo K, Mrowietz U, Weidinger S, Kingo K, Rebane A. Skin Colonization with S. aureus Can Lead to Increased NLRP1 Inflammasome Activation in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 Feb 1:S0022-202X(23)00066-0. Online ahead of print.
2. Carreras-Badosa G, Maslovskaja J, Vaher H, Pajusaar L, Annilo T, Lättekivi F, Hübenthal M, Rodriguez E, Weidinger S, Kingo K, Rebane A. miRNA expression profiles of the perilesional skin of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis patients are highly similar. Sci Rep. 2022 Dec 31;12(1):22645.
3. Laanesoo A, Urgard E, Periyasamy K, Laan M, Bochkov YA, Aab A, Magilnick N, Pooga M, Gern JE, Johnston SL, Coquet JM, Boldin MP, Wengel J, Altraja A, Bochenek G, Jakiela B, Rebane A. Dual role of the miR-146 family in rhinovirus-induced airway inflammation and allergic asthma exacerbation. Clin Transl Med. 2021 Jun;11(6):e427. doi: 10.1002/ctm2.427.
4. Carreras-Badosa G, Maslovskaja J, Periyasamy K, Urgard E, Padari K, Vaher H, Tserel L, Gestin M, Kisand K, Arukuusk P, Lou C, Langel Ü, Wengel J, Pooga M, Rebane A. NickFect type of cell-penetrating peptides present enhanced efficiency for microRNA-146a delivery into dendritic cells and during skin inflammation. Biomaterials. 2020 Aug 29;262:120316. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120316. Online ahead of print.
5. Vaher H, Runnel T, Urgard E, Aab A, Carreras Badosa G, Maslovskaja J, Abram K, Raam L, Kaldvee B, Annilo T, Tkaczyk ER, Maimets T, Akdis CA, Kingo K, Rebane A. miR-10a-5p is increased in atopic dermatitis and has capacity to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation. Allergy. 2019 May 2. [Epub ahead of print]