Cell‐intrinsic and ‐extrinsic roles of miRNAs in regulating T cell immunity

Abstract

SummaryT cells are crucial to generate an effective response against numerous invading microbial pathogens and play a pivotal role in tumor surveillance and elimination. However, unwanted T cell activation can also lead to deleterious immune‐mediated inflammation and tissue damage. To ensure that an optimal T cell response can be established, each step, beginning from T cell development in the thymus to their activation and function in the periphery, is tightly regulated by many transcription factors and epigenetic regulators including microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we first summarize recent progress in identifying major immune regulatory miRNAs in controlling the differentiation and function of distinct T cell subsets. Moreover, as emerging evidence has demonstrated that miRNAs can impact T cell immunity through targeting both immune‐ and non‐immune cell populations that T cells closely interact with, the T cell‐extrinsic role of miRNAs in regulating different aspects of T cell biology is also addressed. Finally, we discuss the complex nature of miRNA‐mediated control of T cell immunity and highlight important questions that remain to be further investigated.

Multiple myeloma–derived miR‐27b‐3p facilitates tumour progression via promoting tumour cell proliferation and immunosuppressive microenvironment

“…As previously reported, 5 , 6 , 7 miRNAs have been implicated in intercellular crosstalk within the iTME in many malignancies. MiRNAs encapsulated in exosomes downregulate T‐cell responses through decreased T‐cell receptor signalling and diminished cytokine and granzyme B secretions.…”

Photoperiods induced the circRNA differential expression in the thyroid gland of OVX+E2 ewes

“…In recent years, different types of ncRNAs in organisms, such as miRNA ( 58 ), lincRNA ( 59 ) and circRNA ( 60 ) have been identified and shown to play critical roles. The function of circRNA is usually studied together with their miRNA sponges ( 61 ).…”

MicroRNAs as Modulators of the Immune Response in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

“…Many excellent articles have revised the role of miRNAs as key regulators in gene expression in immunity and in T-cell development [ 106 , 107 ]. T-lymphocytes, or T-cells, arise from the early T-lineage precursor of the bone marrow that is guided in the thymus to mature and then migrate into peripheral immune tissues to carry out biological functions [ 106 ]. In the thymus, the central immune organ, the development of T-cells is divided into several stages according to the expression of CD4 and CD8 coreceptors [ 108 ].…”

“…At this point, they migrate to the peripheral lymphoid organs to perform their immune functions. T-cell immunity is influenced by microRNAs that act on the development and function of immune system cells and on related clinical diseases [ 106 ].…”