Role of MicroRNAs in the development and function of innate immune cells

Abstract

MicroRNAs act as crucial post-transcriptional regulators of various biological processes. Their role in regulating the differentiation and development of the various immune cells of the body is of paramount importance. The development of immune cells from the hematopoietic progenitors involves the complex interplay of transcription factors, cell signaling proteins and growth factors. MicroRNAs govern and sometimes work in a common axis alongside these factors to regulate the differentiation of immune cells. MicroRNAs are also involved in regulating the functions of innate immune cells such as phagocytosis, antigen presentation, endotoxin tolerance and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Several microRNAs have shown to be activated during the inflammatory response and they limit the excessive immune response. The dysregulation of several microRNAs have shown to cause uncontrolled production of inflammatory cytokines resulting in various diseases. Overall, microRNAs are found to be crucial regulators of the development and function of innate immune cells and maintenance of immune homeostasis.

Keywords:

• Hematopoietic progenitors
• immune response
• innate immune cells
• MicroRNAs
• transcription factors

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Funding

NIL

Ethical approval

This is a review article and there is no human or animal experiment

Contribution of Authors

Both the authors were involved in the drafting, editing and reviewing of the manuscript.

Figures and Tables

All the figures and tables are the authors own creations and not adapted