miRNAs as new molecular insights into inflammatory bowel disease: Crucial regulators in autoimmunity and inflammation

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic relapsing inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and includes two major phenotypes: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The pathogenesis of IBD is not fully understood as of yet. It is believed that IBD results from complicated interactions between environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and immune disorders. miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression by targeting the 3′-untranslated region of specific mRNAs for degradation or translational inhibition. miRNAs are considered to play crucial regulatory roles in many biologic processes, such as immune cellular differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, and maintenance of immune homeostasis. Recently, aberrant expression of miRNAs was revealed to play an important role in autoimmune diseases, including IBD. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of how miRNAs regulate autoimmunity and inflammation by affecting the differentiation, maturation, and function of various immune cells. In particular, we focus on describing specific miRNA expression profiles in tissues and peripheral blood that may be associated with the pathogenesis of IBD. In addition, we summarize the opportunities for utilizing miRNAs as new biomarkers and as potential therapeutic targets in IBD.

Phenotypical microRNA screen reveals a noncanonical role of CDK2 in regulating neutrophil migration

“…Here we provide evidence that miR-199 is a suppressor of cell migration in leukocytes, expanding its role beyond inflammation. Our observation is in line with recent reports that miR-199a-5p is increased in the plasma in patients with neutrophilic asthma (50) and inflammatory bowel disease (51), suggesting that miR-199 may play physiological functions in inflammation.…”

Dysregulation of miR‐431 and target gene FOXA1 in intestinal tissues of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis

“…Thus, miR dysregulation could result in disturbance of downstream genes across cells and tissues and could impair cellular functions, which subsequently contributes to disease etiology. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that miRs could play important roles in the development of acute and chronic human diseases, including cancer (13), chronic infection, inflammation (14), and acute organ injury (15). Specific miRs have been implicated in ileal and colonic mucosal and blood specimens of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients (16, 17), suggesting that they could interfere with gut inflammation (18, 19).…”

Correlation of microRNA expression profile with clinical response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in treating rheumatoid arthritis patients: A prospective cohort study

“…miRNA is proposed to play critical roles in multiple physiological and pathological processes including particular contribution to inflammation formation and autoimmunity response. [19][20][21] Recent data suggest that circulating miR-125b expression could be served as a prognostic biomarker in RA patients treated with TNF inhibitor. 22 Another interesting study indicates that miR-146a discloses a potential predictive value for clinical response to Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) treatment in RA patients.…”