Results were validated with microRNA pull-down, treatment with microRNA mimics and antagomirs, respectively, and evaluated in airway samples from subjects with asthma.<h4>Results</h4>A combination of IL-17A and TNFα, mimicking Th17 inflammation, was identified as a strong driver of epithelial barrier disruption, as compared to IL-4 + IL-13, IL-6 + sIL-6R, and TGFβ. The gene discussed is IL6R; the disease is asthma.