Function Control of Anti-microRNA Oligonucleotides Using Interstrand Cross-Linked Duplexes

Expression profile of mRNAs and miRNAs related to mitogen-activated kinases in HaCaT cell culture treated with lipopolysaccharide a and adalimumab

Studies indicate that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) exhibit activation and overexpression within psoriatic lesions. This study aimed to investigate alterations in the expression patterns of genes encoding MAPKs and microRNA (miRNA) molecules that potentially regulate their expression in human adult low-calcium high-temperature (HaCaT) keratinocytes when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide A (LPS) and adalimumab. HaCaT cells underwent treatment with 1 µg/mL LPS for 8 hours, followed by treatment with 8 µg/mL adalimumab for 2, 8, or 24 hours. Untreated cells served as controls. The molecular analysis involved microarray, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. Changes in the expression profile of seven mRNAs: dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), dual specificity phosphatase 3 (DUSP3), dual specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4), mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (MAPK9), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MAP3K2), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MAP2K2), and MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2, also known as MK2) in cell culture exposed to LPS or LPS and the drug compared to the control. It was noted that miR-34a may potentially regulate the activity of DUSP1, DUSP3, and DUSP4, while miR-1275 is implicated in regulating MAPK9 expression. Additionally, miR-382 and miR-3188 are potential regulators of DUSP4 levels, and miR-200-5p is involved in regulating MAPKAPK2 and MAP3K2 levels. Thus, the analysis showed that these mRNA molecules and the proteins and miRNAs they encode appear to be useful molecular markers for monitoring the efficacy of adalimumab therapy.

Types of RNA therapeutics

RNA therapy is one of the new treatments using small RNA molecules to target and regulate gene expression. It involves the application of synthetic or modified RNA molecules to inhibit the expression of disease-causing genes specifically. In other words, it silences genes and suppresses the transcription process. The main theory behind RNA therapy is that RNA molecules can prevent the translation into proteins by binding to specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. By targeting disease-related mRNA molecules, RNA therapy can effectively silence or reduce the development of harmful proteins. There are different types of RNA molecules used in therapy, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), aptamer, ribozyme, and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). These molecules are designed to complement specific mRNA sequences, allowing them to bind and degrade the targeted mRNA or prevent its translation into protein. Nanotechnology is also highlighted to increase the efficacy of RNA-based drugs. In this chapter, while examining various methods of RNA therapy, we discuss the advantages and challenges of each.

Nucleic acid degradation as barrier to gene delivery: a guide to understand and overcome nuclease activity

Gene therapy is on its way to revolutionize the treatment of both inherited and acquired diseases, by transferring nucleic acids to correct a disease-causing gene in the target cells of patients. In the fight against infectious diseases, mRNA-based therapeutics have proven to be a viable strategy in the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Although a growing number of gene therapies have been approved, the success rate is limited when compared to the large number of preclinical and clinical trials that have been/are being performed. In this review, we highlight some of the hurdles which gene therapies encounter after administration into the human body, with a focus on nucleic acid degradation by nucleases that are extremely abundant in mammalian organs, biological fluids as well as in subcellular compartments. We overview the available strategies to reduce the biodegradation of gene therapeutics after administration, including chemical modifications of the nucleic acids, encapsulation into vectors and co-administration with nuclease inhibitors and discuss which strategies are applied for clinically approved nucleic acid therapeutics. In the final part, we discuss the currently available methods and techniques to qualify and quantify the integrity of nucleic acids, with their own strengths and limitations.

Bioengineered chimeric tRNA/pre-miRNAs as prodrugs in cancer therapy

Today, biologic prodrugs have led to targeting specific tumor markers and have increased specificity and selectivity in cancer therapy. Various studies have shown the role of ncRNAs in cancer pathology and tumorigenesis and have suggested that ncRNAs, especially miRNAs, are valuable molecules in understanding cancer biology and therapeutic processes. Most miRNAs-based research and treatment are limited to chemically synthesized miRNAs. Synthetic alterations in these miRNA mimics may affect their folding, safety profile, and even biological activity. However, despite synthetic miRNA mimics produced by automated systems, various carriers could be used to achieve efficient production of bioengineered miRNAs through economical microbial fermentation. These bioengineered miRNAs as biological prodrugs could provide a new approach for safe therapeutic methods and drug production. In this regard, bioengineered chimeric miRNAs could be selectively processed to mature miRNAs in different types of cancer cells by targeting the desired gene and regulating cancer progression. In this article, we aim to review bioengineered miRNAs and their use in cancer therapy, as well as offering advances in this area, including the use of chimeric tRNA/pre-miRNAs.

RNAi-Based Therapeutics and Novel RNA Bioengineering Technologies

RNA interference (RNAi) provides researchers with a versatile means to modulate target gene expression. The major forms of RNAi molecules, genome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) and exogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), converge into RNA-induced silencing complexes to achieve posttranscriptional gene regulation. RNAi has proven to be an adaptable and powerful therapeutic strategy where advancements in chemistry and pharmaceutics continue to bring RNAi-based drugs into the clinic. With four siRNA medications already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several RNAi-based therapeutics continue to advance to clinical trials with functions that closely resemble their endogenous counterparts. Although intended to enhance stability and improve efficacy, chemical modifications may increase risk of off-target effects by altering RNA structure, folding, and biologic activity away from their natural equivalents. Novel technologies in development today seek to use intact cells to yield true biologic RNAi agents that better represent the structures, stabilities, activities, and safety profiles of natural RNA molecules. In this review, we provide an examination of the mechanisms of action of endogenous miRNAs and exogenous siRNAs, the physiologic and pharmacokinetic barriers to therapeutic RNA delivery, and a summary of the chemical modifications and delivery platforms in use. We overview the pharmacology of the four FDA-approved siRNA medications (patisiran, givosiran, lumasiran, and inclisiran) as well as five siRNAs and several miRNA-based therapeutics currently in clinical trials. Furthermore, we discuss the direct expression and stable carrier-based, in vivo production of novel biologic RNAi agents for research and development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In our review, we summarize the major concepts of RNA interference (RNAi), molecular mechanisms, and current state and challenges of RNAi drug development. We focus our discussion on the pharmacology of US Food and Drug Administration-approved RNAi medications and those siRNAs and miRNA-based therapeutics that entered the clinical investigations. Novel approaches to producing new true biological RNAi molecules for research and development are highlighted.

MicroRNA-140-5p inhibitor attenuates memory impairment induced by amyloid-ß oligomer in vivo possibly through Pin1 regulation

AIMS

The peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, Pin1, has a protective role in age-related neurodegeneration by targeting different phosphorylation sites of tau and the key proteins required to produce Amyloid-β, which are the well-known molecular signatures of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. The direct interaction of miR-140-5p with Pin1 mRNA and its inhibitory role in protein translation has been identified. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of miRNA-140-5p inhibition in promoting Pin1 expression and the therapeutic potential of the AntimiR-140-5p in the Aß oligomer (AßO)-induced AD rat model.

METHODS

Spatial learning and memory were assessed in the Morris water maze. RT-PCR, western blot, and histological assays were performed on hippocampal samples at various time points after treatments. miRNA-140-5p inhibition enhanced Pin1 and ADAM10 mRNA expressions but has little effect on Pin1 protein level.

RESULTS

The miRNA-140-5p inhibitor markedly ameliorated spatial learning and memory deficits induced by AßO, and concomitantly suppressed the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators TNFα and IL-1β, and phosphorylation of tau at three key sites (thr231, ser396, and ser404) as well as increased phosphorylated Ser473-Akt.

CONCLUSION

According to our results, Antimir-140-mediated improvement of AβO-induced neuronal injury and memory impairment in rats may provide an appropriate rationale for evaluating miR-140-5p inhibitors as a promising agent for the treatment of AD.

Hybridization-specific chemical reactions to create interstrand crosslinking and threaded structures of nucleic acids

The interstrand crosslinking and threaded structures of nucleic acids have high potential in oligonucleotide therapeutics, chemical biology, and nanotechnology. For example, properly designed crosslinking structures provide high activity and nuclease resistance for anti-miRNAs. The noncovalent labeling and modification by the threaded structures are useful as new chemical biology tools. Photoreversible crosslinking creates smart materials, such as reversible photoresponsive gels and DNA origami objects. This review introduces the creation of interstrand crosslinking and threaded structures, such as catenanes and rotaxanes, based on hybridization-specific chemical reactions and their functions and perspectives.

Expression Profile of mRNAs and miRNAs Related to the Oxidative-Stress Phenomenon in the Ishikawa Cell Line Treated Either Cisplatin or Salinomycin

The oxidative stress phenomenon is a result of anticancer therapy. The aim of this study was the assessment of gene expression profile changes, and to determine the miRNAs regulating genes’ transcriptional activity in an Ishikawa endometrial cancer culture exposed to cisplatin or salinomycin, compared to a control culture. The molecular analysis comprised the microarray technique (mRNAs and micro RNA (miRNA), the real-time quantitative reverse transcription reaction (RTqPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reactions, and Western blot. NR4A2, MAP3K8, ICAM1, IL21, CXCL8, CCL7, and SLC7A11 were statistically significantly differentiated depending not only on time, but also on the drug used in the experiment. The conducted assessment indicated that the strongest links were between NR4A2 and hsa-miR-30a-5p and has-miR-302e, MAP3K8 and hsa-miR-144-3p, CXCL8 and hsa-miR-140-3p, and SLC7A11 and hsa-miR-144-3p. The obtained results suggest that four mRNAs—NR4A2, MAP3K8, CXCL8 and SLC7A11—and four miRNAs—hsa-miR-30a-5p, hsa-miR-302e, hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-140-3—changed their expressions regardless of the chemotherapeutic agent used, which suggests the possibility of their use in monitoring the severity of oxidative stress in endometrial cancer. However, considering the results at both the mRNA and the protein level, it is most likely that the expressions of NR4A2, MAP3K8, CXCL8 and SLC7A11 are regulated by miRNA molecules as well as other epigenetic mechanisms.

Rapid Alkene-Alkene Photo-Cross-Linking on the Base-Flipping-Out Field in Duplex DNA

Specific chemical reactions by enzymes acting on a nucleobase are realized by flipping the target base out of the helix. Similarly, artificial oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) can also induce the base flipping and a specific chemical reaction. We now report an easily prepared and unique structure-providing photo-cross-linking reaction by taking advantage of the base-flipping-out field formed by alkene-type base-flipping-inducing artificial bases. Two 3-arylethenyl-5-methyl-2-pyridone nucleosides with the Ph or An group were synthesized and incorporated into the ODNs. We found that the two Ph derivatives provided the cross-linked product in a high yield only by a 10 s photoirradiation when their alkenes overlap each other in the duplex DNA. The highly efficient reaction enabled forming a cross-linked product even when using the duplex with a low T_m value.

Synthesis of Crosslinked 2'-OMe RNA Duplexes Using 2-Amino-6-Vinylpurine and Their Application for Effective Inhibition of miRNA Function

Crosslinking reactions to nucleic acids are an effective way to prepare stable complexes formed by covalent bonding. We demonstrated that fully 2'-O-methylated (2'-OMe) RNAs having a 2-amino-6-vinylpurine (AVP) exhibited an efficient crosslinking to uracil in the target RNA. Recently, we reported the preparation of crosslinked 2'-OMe RNA duplexes using AVP and the anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs) containing crosslinked duplexes at the terminal positions. These AMOs exhibited efficient microRNA (miRNA) inhibition at very low concentrations. In this article, we describe the chemical synthesis of 2'-OMe oligonucleotides containing AVP and preparation of the AMOs bearing crosslinked 2'-OMe RNA duplexes using AVP. In addition, we describe in detail the miRNA inhibition assay using these AMOs. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Synthesis of phosphoramidite of 2-amino-6-vinylguanosine derivative Basic Protocol 2: Synthesis of AVP-2'-OMe RNA Basic Protocol 3: Evaluation of the crosslink reactivity of CFO containing AVP to the 2'-OMe RNA and preparation of AMOs containing crosslinked duplex Basic Protocol 4: miRNA inhibition assays.

Promotion of cytoplasmic localization of oligonucleotides by connecting cross-linked duplexes

An interstrand cross-linked duplex (CD) modification promoted antisense oligonucleotide to be localized in the cytoplasm, resulting in effective knockdown microRNA in cytoplasm. In contrast, single-stranded antisense was confined in the nucleus.

Synthesis of crosslinked 2'-OMe RNA duplexes and their application for effective inhibition of miRNA function

The interstrand crosslinking of nucleic acids is one of the strategies to create the stable complex between an oligonucleotide and RNA by covalent bond formation. We previously reported that fully 2'-O-methylated (2'-OMe) RNAs having the 2-amino-6-vinylpurine (AVP) exhibited an efficient crosslinking to uracil in the target RNA. In this study, we established a chemical method to efficiently synthesize the crosslinked 2'-OMe RNA duplexes using AVP and prepared the anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs) containing the antisense targeting miR-21 and crosslinked duplex at the terminal sequences. These AMOs showed a markedly higher anti miRNA activity than that of the commercially-available miR-21 inhibitor which has locked nucleic acid (LNA) residues.

Stable duplex-linked antisense targeting miR-148a inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate cancer cell proliferation by binding directly to the untranslated regions of messenger RNA (mRNA). MicroRNA-148a (miR-148a) is expressed at low levels in breast cancer (BC). However, little attention has been paid to the sequestration of miR-148a. Here, we performed a knockdown of miR-148a using anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs) and investigated the effect on BC cell proliferation. BC cell proliferation was significantly suppressed by AMO flanked by interstrand cross-linked duplexes (CL-AMO), whereas single-stranded and commercially available AMOs had no effect. The suppression was caused by sequestering specifically miR-148a. Indeed, miR-148b, another member of the miR-148 family, was not affected. Importantly, the downregulation of miR-148a induced a greater and longer-lasting inhibition of BC cell proliferation than the targeting of oncogenic microRNA-21 (miR-21) did. We identified thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a tumor suppressor gene, as a target of miR-148a and showed that CL-AMO provoked an increase in TXNIP mRNA expression. This study provide evidence that lowly expressed miRNAs such as miR-148a have an oncogenic function and might be a promising target for cancer treatment.

Circulating miRNAs in bone health and disease

microRNAs have evolved as important regulators of multiple biological pathways essential for bone homeostasis, and microRNA research has furthered our understanding of the mechanisms underlying bone health and disease. This knowledge, together with the finding that active or passive release of microRNAs from cells into the extracellular space enables minimal-invasive detection in biofluids (circulating miRNAs), motivated researchers to explore microRNAs as biomarkers in several pathologic conditions, including bone diseases. Thus, exploratory studies in cohorts representing different types of bone diseases have been performed. In this review, we first summarize important molecular basics of microRNA function and release and provide recommendations for best (pre-)analytical practices and documentation standards for circulating microRNA research required for generating high quality data and ensuring reproducibility of results. Secondly, we review how the genesis of bone-derived circulating microRNAs via release from osteoblasts and osteoclasts could contribute to the communication between these cells. Lastly, we summarize evidence from clinical research studies that have investigated the clinical utility of microRNAs as biomarkers in musculoskeletal disorders. While previous reviews have mainly focused on diagnosis of primary osteoporosis, we have also included studies exploring the utility of circulating microRNAs in monitoring anti-osteoporotic treatment and for diagnosis of other types of bone diseases, such as diabetic osteopathy, bone degradation in inflammatory diseases, and monogenetic bone diseases.

Differences in expression of genes related to drug resistance and miRNAs regulating their expression in skin fibroblasts exposed to adalimumab and cyclosporine A

Introduction

Adalimumab and cyclosporine A are drugs used in moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. Despite the molecular orientation of the drugs, there is a loss of adequate cell sensitivity to the anti-cytokine therapy.

Aim

To determine the changes in the gene expression profile associated with drug resistance in the culture of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) exposed to adalimumab or cyclosporine A compared to the controls.

Material and methods

NHDF was exposed to adalimumab/cyclosporine A for 2, 8, 24 h compared to the control culture. Molecular analysis was performed using mRNA and miRNA microarray techniques. The obtained results were analysed using PL - Grid infrastructure (p < 0.05).

Results

Of the 22277 ID mRNA, 47 are associated with drug resistance, of which the change in expression of 17 mRNA ID is statistically significant (p < 0.05). The greatest change in transcriptional activity (FC ≥ 1.3) was observed for GLO1, SLC10A3, TUFT1, STATH, ABCB1, AGTR1. Expression of these genes can be regulated by miR-199a-5p, miR-1231, miR-34a, miR-3188, and miR-106a (except AGTR1).

Conclusions

The analysis of changes in the expression of mRNA and miRNA related to drug resistance gives the possibility of monitoring the effectiveness of anti-cytokine therapy.

Ester modification at the 3' end of anti-microRNA oligonucleotides increases potency of microRNA inhibition

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that play a fundamental role in gene regulation. Deregulation of miRNA expression has a strong correlation with disease and antisense oligonucleotides that bind and inhibit miRNAs associated with disease have therapeutic potential. Current research on the chemical modification of anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (anti-miRs) is focused on alterations of the phosphodiester-ribose backbone to improve nuclease resistance and binding affinity to miRNA strands. Here we describe a structure-guided approach for modification of the 3'-end of anti-miRs by screening for modifications compatible with a nucleotide-binding pocket present on human Argonaute2 (hAgo2). We computationally screened a library of 190 triazole-modified nucleoside analogs for complementarity to the t1A-binding pocket of hAgo2. Seventeen top scoring triazoles were then incorporated into the 3' end of anti-miR21 and potency was evaluated for each in a cell-based assay for anti-miR activity. Four triazole-modified anti-miRs showed higher potency than anti-miR21 bearing a 3' adenosine. In particular, a triazole-modified nucleoside bearing an ester substituent imparted a nine-fold and five-fold increase in activity for both anti-miR21 and anti-miR122 at 300 and 5 nM, respectively. The ester group was shown to be critical as a similar carboxylic acid and amide were inactive. Furthermore, anti-miR 3' end modification with triazole-modified nucleoside analogs improved resistance to snake venom phosphodiesterase, a 3'-exonuclease. Thus, the modifications described here are good candidates for improvement of anti-miR activity.

Assessment of the Usefulness of the SEMA5A Concentration Profile Changes as a Molecular Marker in Endometrial Cancer

BACKGROUND

Semaphorin 5A (SEMA5A) functions not only in the nervous system but also in cancer transformation where its role has not yet been sufficiently studied and described.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the changes in SEMA5A expression in endometrial cancer at various degrees of its differentiation (G1-G3) compared to control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 45 patients with endometrial cancer at various grades: G1, 17; G2, 15; G3, 13. The control consisted of 15 women without neoplastic changes in the routine gynecological examination. The statistical analysis of immunohistochemical assessment of SEMA5A level was carried out using the Statistica 12 program based on the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's post-hoc test (p<0.05).

RESULTS

The expression of SEMA5A (optical density) was observed in the control group (Me = 103.43) and in the study group (G1, Me = 140.72; G2, Me = 150.88; G3, Me = 173.77). Differences in expression between each grade and control and between individual grades turned out to be statistically significant (p<0.01). The protein level of SEMA5A expression increased with the decreasing degree of endometrial cancer differentiation.

CONCLUSION

In our research, we indicated the overexpression of SEMA5A protein in endometrial cancer. It is a valuable starting point for further consideration of the role of SEMA5A as a new supplementary molecular marker in endometrial cancer.

Highly efficient silencing of microRNA by heteroduplex oligonucleotides

AntimiR is an antisense oligonucleotide that has been developed to silence microRNA (miRNA) for the treatment of intractable diseases. Enhancement of its in vivo efficacy and improvement of its toxicity are highly desirable but remain challenging. We here design heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO)-antimiR as a new technology comprising an antimiR and its complementary RNA. HDO-antimiR binds targeted miRNA in vivo more efficiently by 12-fold than the parent single-stranded antimiR. HDO-antimiR also produced enhanced phenotypic effects in mice with upregulated expression of miRNA-targeting messenger RNAs. In addition, we demonstrated that the enhanced potency of HDO-antimiR was not explained by its bio-stability or delivery to the targeted cell, but reflected an improved intracellular potency. Our findings provide new insights into biology of miRNA silencing by double-stranded oligonucleotides and support the in vivo potential of this technology based on a new class of for the treatment of miRNA-related diseases.

Inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation with anti-microRNA oligonucleotides flanked by interstrand cross-linked duplexes

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer affecting women worldwide. Traditional chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy are used for breast cancer treatment. However, breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and patients often develop drug resistance. Therefore, various new therapeutic strategies have been investigated, including microRNA regulation. Anti-microRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs) are one of the most potent agents in oligonucleotide therapy. The inhibition activity of an AMO can be increased by flanking its single-stranded antisense sequence (the widely used structure for AMOs) with interstrand cross-linked duplexes (CLDs). An extrastable CLD improves nuclease resistance and stabilizes hybridization with a target. This study investigated the effects of anti-microRNA-21 (miR-21) AMO modified with CLDs on breast cancer cells without using reporter assay. The CLD-modified AMO suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation for a long duration compared to other types of AMOs. In addition, it expectedly up-regulated the miR-21-controlled expression of tumor suppressor genes. Therefore, an AMO flanked by CLDs can be a promising strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Alkyne-Alkyne Photo-cross-linking on the Flipping-out Field

The base flip-inducing nucleic acids are expected to create a specific field for various chemical reactions. We now report a novel type of base-flip-inducing oligodeoxynucleotide and photo-cross-linking reaction. Two 3-arylethynyl-5-methyl-2-pyridone nucleosides, Ph and An, were synthesized, and their properties were investigated. The alkyne-alkyne photo-cross-linking rapidly proceeded by taking advantage of the base-flipping-out field where two alkynes overlap each other. This photo-cross-linking would be a new candidate to form cross-linked DNAs.

Synthesis and Application of Interstrand Cross-Linked Duplexes by Covalently Linking a Pair of Abasic Sites

Interstrand cross-linking of DNA or RNA inhibits the double strands from dissociating into single strands. This article contains detailed procedures for the synthesis of a novel interstrand cross-linker that comprises a bis-aminooxy naphthalene derivative and a description of its use in the preparation of sequence-specific interstrand cross-linked oligonucleotide duplexes. The interstrand cross-linker covalently connects a pair of apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in DNA/RNA duplexes with bis(aminooxy) groups. The resulting oxime linkages are stable under physiological conditions and greatly improve the thermal stability of the duplex. In addition, we construct a novel anti-miRNA oligonucleotide (AMO) flanked by interstrand cross-linked 2'-O-methylated RNA duplexes (CLs). AMO flanked by CLs at the 5'- and 3'-termini exhibited high inhibition activity toward miRNA function in cells. The novel interstrand cross-linker indicates potent activity and is applicable in biophysical studies, oligonucleotide therapeutics, and materials science. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Anti-miRNA oligonucleotides: A comprehensive guide for design

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. As a consequence of their function towards mRNA, miRNAs are widely associated with the pathogenesis of several human diseases, making miRNAs a target for new therapeutic strategies based on the control of their expression. Indeed, numerous works were published in the past decades showing the potential use of antisense oligonucleotides to target aberrant miRNAs (AMOs) involved in several human pathologies. New classes of chemical-modified-AMOs, including locked nucleic acid oligonucleotides, have recently proved their worth in silencing miRNAs. A correct design of a specific AMOs can help to improve their performance and potency towards the target miRNA by increasing for instance nuclease resistance and target affinity. This review outlines the technologies involved to suppress aberrant miRNAs. From the design strategies used in AMOs to its application in novel miRNA-based therapeutics and detection methodologies.