title: MicroRNAs and Epithelial Immunity.
abstract: MicroRNAs are required for development and maintenance of the epithelial barrier. It is hypothesized that microRNAs are involved in regulating epithelial anti-microbial defenses by targeting key epithelial effector molecules and/or influencing intracellular signaling pathways. Additionally, aberrant microRNA expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases at the skin and mucosa. Increased understanding of the role of microRNAs in epithelial immunoregulation and identification of microRNAs of pathogenetic significance will enhance our understanding of epithelial immunobiology and immunopathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Drescher
authors.forename: Xian-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs