Advances in microRNAs: implications for immunity and inflammatory diseases

Abstract

• Introduction ‐ Overview and history ‐ The biogenesis of miRNAs ‐ Mechanism of action of miRNAs • Identification of microRNA targets • Multi‐level control of microRNA expression • How can microRNAs contribute to diseases? • MiRNAs in immunological and inflammatory disorders ‐ Psoriasis and atopic eczema ‐ Asthma ‐ Rheumatoid arthritis ‐ Systemic lupus erythematosus ‐ Primary biliary cirrhosis ‐ MiR‐17–5p and miR‐101 in autoimmunity ‐ Vascular inflammation • MiRNAs in antiviral immunity and viral immune escape ‐ Viral miRNAs regulating host genes ‐ Viral miRNAs regulating viral genes ‐ Host miRNAs regulating viral genes • Perspectives Abstract Since their discovery in 1993 and the introduction of the term microRNA in 2001, it has become evident that microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in many biological processes, including development, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. The function of miRNA the control of protein production in cells by sequence‐specific targeting of mRNAs for translational repression or mRNA degradati Interestingly, immune genes are apparently preferentially targeted by miRNAs compared to the average of the human genome, indicat the significance of miRNA‐mediated regulation for normal immune responses. Here, we review what is known about the role of miRN in the pathogenesis of immune‐related diseases such as chronic inflammatory skin diseases, autoimmunity and viral infections.