title: MicroRNA-155 may affect allograft survival by regulating the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1.
abstract: Immune rejection of organ transplants has life-threatening implications. It is believed that allograft rejection is initiated by the activation of lymphocytes following recognition of donor antigens, leading to generation of effector T lymphocytes, alloantibody production, and graft infiltration by alloreactive cells. There is solid evidence that miRNAs are integral for maintaining immune homeostasis and self-tolerance. A deeper understanding of the regulation of the immune response by miRNAs could define new mechanisms for manipulating graft immunity and preventing rejection. The miRNA miR-155 is of particular interest due to its known roles in regulating the expression of genes relevant to allograft rejection and the induction of immune tolerance. Indeed, miR-155 has been shown to dramatically impact both innate and adaptive immune processes, including inflammation, antigen presentation, T-cell differentiation, cytokine production, and T regulatory cell (Treg) functions. The suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) is a critical regulator of immune cell function and an evolutionarily conserved target of miR-155 in breast cancer cells. We propose that suppression of miR-155 could enhance SOCS1 expression in immune cells and suppress allograft rejection. Further studies on the specific role of miR-155 in allograft rejection may lead to the identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratories of Education, Ministry for Myocardial Ischemia Mechanism and Treatment, Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang Province 150081, China.
authors.forename: Maomao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D006085:Graft Survival / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D000071222:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C524942:MIRN155 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; C108944:SOCS1 protein, human; D000071222:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins