MicroRNA Signaling in Autoimmune Disorders

Immune homeostasis depends on the precise regulation of gene expression, and microRNAs play a central part in this process. These short (~22 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs modulate post-transcriptional gene silencing by binding to complementary sequences in target messenger RNAs, leading to translational repression or mRNA decay. In autoimmune disorders, where immune tolerance is disrupted, aberrant microRNA expression can tip the balance towards pathogenic inflammation or defective regulatory responses. Dysregulated microRNA networks have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ocular autoimmune conditions, among others. Mechanistically, microRNAs influence the differentiation and activation of key immune cell populations, including T lymphocytes, B cells and macrophages, as well as the production of cytokines and chemokines. At the clinical interface, circulating and tissue-resident microRNAs are under investigation as minimally invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis, disease activity monitoring and prediction of therapeutic response. Moreover, experimental modulation of microRNA levels has shown promise in preclinical models, offering a novel therapeutic axis for restoring immune equilibrium. The interplay between microRNA signalling and established pathways such as NF-κB, JAK/STAT and toll-like receptor cascades underscores the potential for combinatorial strategies that integrate microRNA-based approaches with existing targeted therapies.

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MicroRNA Signaling in Autoimmune Disorders publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna signaling in autoimmune disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA: Endogenous short non-coding RNA molecules (~22 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in target messenger RNAs, resulting in translational repression or mRNA degradation.

Biomarker: A measurable biological indicator, typically a molecule in blood or tissue, used for diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring response to therapy.

Macrophage polarisation: The process by which macrophages differentiate into distinct functional states, such as pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2), in response to microenvironmental signals.

Epigenetics: Heritable modifications of gene expression that occur without changes to the underlying DNA sequence, including those mediated by DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs.

References

1. MicroRNAs in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Biology (2023).
2. Functional Regulation of Macrophage Phenotypes by MicroRNAs in Inflammatory Arthritis. Frontiers in Immunology (2019).
3. MicroRNAs and Autoimmune-Mediated Eye Diseases. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2020).
4. miRNAs and rheumatoid arthritis: new update in expression pattern and pathogenicity. Rheumatology Research (2021).