title: Plant microRNAs as novel immunomodulatory agents.
abstract: An increasing body of literature is addressing the immuno-modulating functions of miRNAs which include paracrine signaling via exosome-mediated intercellular miRNA. In view of the recent evidence of intake and bioavailability of dietary miRNAs in humans and animals we explored the immuno-modulating capacity of plant derived miRNAs. Here we show that transfection of synthetic miRNAs or native miRNA-enriched fractions obtained from a wide range of plant species and organs modifies dendritic cells ability to respond to inflammatory agents by limiting T cell proliferation and consequently dampening inflammation. This immuno-modulatory effect appears associated with binding of plant miRNA on TLR3 with ensuing impairment of TRIF signaling. Similarly, in vivo, plant small RNAs reduce the onset of severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelities by limiting dendritic cell migration and dampening Th1 and Th17 responses in a Treg-independent manner. Our results indicate a potential for therapeutic use of plant miRNAs in the prevention of chronic-inflammation related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.|Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
authors.forename: Duccio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cavalieri
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rizzetto
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tocci
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino (Neurofarba), University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Damariz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rivero
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asquini
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Azeddine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Si-Ammour
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino (Neurofarba), University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonechi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino (Neurofarba), University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ballerini
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Viola
mesh_terms: D033942:Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D031985:Fragaria / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008745:Methylation; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D033942:Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D035683:MicroRNAs; D018749:RNA, Plant; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3