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Impaired regulatory T cell function in autoimmune diseases: are microRNAs the culprits?

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 13, pages 135–137 (2016)Cite this article

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNA sequences, approximately 22 nucleotides in length, that act as negative regulators of target genes via binding to the 3′-untranslated region of mRNAs, leading to mRNA degradation or the inhibition of mRNA translation. In animal cells, the biogenesis of miRNAs begins in the nucleus with the transcription of double-stranded pri-miRNA (1–3 kb) and ends as a single-stranded ‘mature miRNA’ in the cytoplasm. Drosha and Dicer are the key enzymes that play critical roles in miRNA biogenesis.1,2 miRNA regulates various cellular and physiological processes, and the dysregulated expression of miRNA has been linked to several pathologies, including autoimmune diseases.2,3

CD4+ T helper (TH) cells act as key regulators of adaptive immunity. The activation and differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into distinct subsets, such as TH1, TH2, TH17, and CD4+ CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), are accomplished by various signals obtained from antigen-loaded major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, co-stimulatory molecules, and polarizing cytokines.4,5,6 Tregs that serve as immunosuppressors could be thymic in origin (natural Tregs) or derived (induced) at the periphery from naive CD4+ T cells. Tregs maintain immune tolerance by modulating the functions of innate immune cells, effector T cells, and B cells.6,7,8

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Université Pierre et Marie Curie, and Université Paris Descartes. V.K.S. is a recipient of a fellowship from INSERM under the International Associated Laboratory IMPACT (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, France - Indian Council of Medical Research, India) scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 1138, Paris, France

    Varun K Sharma, Srini V Kaveri & Jagadeesh Bayry

  2. Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe - Immunopathology and therapeutic immunointervention, Paris, France

    Varun K Sharma, Srini V Kaveri & Jagadeesh Bayry

  3. International Associated Laboratory IMPACT, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France; and Indian Council of Medical Research, India, National Institute of Immunohaematology,

    Varun K Sharma, Srini V Kaveri & Jagadeesh Bayry

  4. and Indian Council of Medical Research, India, National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India

    Varun K Sharma, Srini V Kaveri & Jagadeesh Bayry

  5. Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1138, Paris, France

    Srini V Kaveri & Jagadeesh Bayry

  6. Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR S 1138, Paris, France

    Srini V Kaveri & Jagadeesh Bayry

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  1. Varun K Sharma
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Correspondence to Jagadeesh Bayry.

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Sharma, V., Kaveri, S. & Bayry, J. Impaired regulatory T cell function in autoimmune diseases: are microRNAs the culprits?. Cell Mol Immunol 13, 135–137 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2015.98

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