hsa-miR-326

multiple sclerosis

Relationship type:

Causal

Detection method for miRNA expression:

northern blot, qRT-PCR etc

up-regulated

Validated targets of miRNA from the reference:

unknown

Validated targets of miRNA from TarBase:

unknown : More...

Description:

Interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing T helper cells (T(H)-17 cells) are increasingly recognized as key participants in various autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Although sets of transcription factors and cytokines are known to regulate T(H)-17 differentiation, the role of noncoding RNA is poorly understood. Here we identify a T(H)-17 cell-associated microRNA, miR-326, whose expression was highly correlated with disease severity in patients with multiple sclerosis and mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In vivo silencing of miR-326 resulted in fewer T(H)-17 cells and mild EAE, and its overexpression led to more T(H)-17 cells and severe EAE. We also found that miR-326 promoted T(H)-17 differentiation by targeting Ets-1, a negative regulator of T(H)-17 differentiation. Our data show a critical role for microRNA in T(H)-17 differentiation and the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.

Reference:

MicroRNA miR-326 regulates T(H)-17 differentiation and is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis | PMID:19838199
Du C, Liu C, Kang J, Zhao G, Ye Z, Huang S, Li Z, Wu Z, Pei G.
Nat Immunol. 2009 Oct 18. [Epub ahead of print]