The Role of MicroRNAs in Myeloid Cells during Graft-versus-Host Disease

Front Immunol. 2018 Jan 23:9:4. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00004. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The successful treatment of various hematologic diseases with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is often limited by the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Several microRNAs (miRs) have recently been shown to impact the biology of GvHD by regulating pro- as well as anti-inflammatory target genes. There is increasing evidence that a single miR can have different effects by preferentially targeting certain genes depending on the cell type that the miR is analyzed in. This review will focus on the role of miRs in myeloid cells during the development of acute and chronic GvHD and autoimmune diseases. Because miRs act on the expression of multiple target genes and may thereby influence the immune system at different functional levels, they are potentially attractive targets for the modification of allogeneic immune responses using miR mimics and inhibitors.

Keywords: GVHD; dendritic cells; inflammation; micro RNAs; myeloid cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / genetics*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology*
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • MicroRNAs