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Contribution of MicroRNAs to autoimmune diseases

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Abstract

MicroRNAs are a class of evolutionarily conserved, short non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally modulate the expression of multiple target genes. They are implicated in almost every biological process, including pathways involved in immune homeostasis, such as immune cell development, central and peripheral tolerance, and T helper cell differentiation. Alterations in miRNA expression and function can lead to major dysfunction of the immune system and mediate susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Here, we discuss the role of miRNAs in the maintenance of immune tolerance to self-antigens and the gain or loss of miRNA functions on tissue inflammation and autoimmunity.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Grants from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (RG 4904A2/1) and the Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center.

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  1. Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, USA

    Lucien P. Garo & Gopal Murugaiyan

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  1. Lucien P. Garo
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  2. Gopal Murugaiyan
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Correspondence to Gopal Murugaiyan.

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Garo, L.P., Murugaiyan, G. Contribution of MicroRNAs to autoimmune diseases. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 73, 2041–2051 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-016-2167-4

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