RNA therapeutics for diarrhea.

Abstract

Diarrhea is caused by a variety of bacterial and viral agents, inflammatory conditions, medications, and hereditary conditions. Secretory diarrhea involves several ion and solute transporters, activation of the cyclic nucleotide and Ca²⁺ signaling pathways, as well as intestinal epithelial secretion. In many cases of secretory diarrhea, activation of Cl^- channels, such as the cystic transmembrane conduction regulator and the Ca²⁺stimulated Cl^- channel fibrosis, promote secretion while concurrently inhibiting Na⁺ transport expressing fluid absorption. Current diarrhea therapies include rehydration and electrolyte replacement via oral rehydration solutions, as well as medications that target peristalsis or fluid secretion. The rising understanding of RNA function and its importance in illness has encouraged the use of various RNAs to operate selectively on "untreatable" proteins, transcripts, and genes. Some RNA-based medications have received clinical approval, while others are currently in research or preclinical studies. Despite major obstacles in the development of RNA-based therapies, many approaches have been investigated to improve intracellular RNA trafficking and metabolic stability.