miRNA Regulatory Landscape in the Diesel Exhaust Exposed Nasal Epithelium

Rationale: Exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) is associated with asthma, lung cancer, and COPD. We have previously identified a gene expression signature associated with DEE exposure in the nasal epithelium, but the underlying molecular regulation of this gene expression response remains uncharacterized. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be key regulators of airway gene expression, through suppressing target mRNAs, particularly in association with lung cancer and tobacco smoke exposure. The goal of this study is to discover changes in nasal miRNA expression associated with DEE exposure that might be regulators of the gene expression response to DEE. Methods: Nasal epithelial samples (n= 91) were collected by brushing the inferior nasal turbinate of diesel engine factory workers and workers from factories without diesel exposure as controls. miRNAs were extracted and sequenced …