MicroRNAs and immunity: novel players in the regulation of normal immune function and inflammation.
The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) is one of the major scientific breakthroughs in recent years and has revolutionized the way we look at gene regulation. Although we are still at a very early stage in understanding their impact on immunity, miRNAs are changing the way we think about the development of the immune system and regulation of immune functions. MiRNAs are implicated in establishing and maintaining the cell fate of immune cells (e.g. miR-181a and miR-223), and they are involved in innate immunity by regulating Toll-like receptor signaling and ensuing cytokine response (e.g. miR-146). Moreover, miRNAs regulate central elements of the adaptive immune response such as antigen presentation (e.g. miR-155) and T cell receptor signaling (miR-181a). Recent evidence showing altered miRNA expression in chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g. miR-203 and miR-146) suggests their involvement in immune-mediated diseases. Furthermore, miRNAs have been implicated in viral immune escape and anti-viral defense (e.g. miR-196). In this review, we will summarize the latest findings about the role of miRNAs in the development of the immune system and regulation of immune functions and inflammation.
Sonkoly
Enikö
E
Molecular Dermatology Research Group, Unit of Dermatology and Venerology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
Ståhle
Mona
M
Pivarcsi
Andor
A
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs; C524942:MIRN155 microRNA, human; C525067:MIR223, human; C529102:Mirn142 microRNA, mouse; C529101:Mirn150 microRNA, mouse; C529100:mirn181 microRNA, mouse