Background: Earlier we reported that the microRNA (miR)-155 expression in dendritic cells (DCs) from Behcet’s disease (BD) patients was decreased and affected cytokine production of DCs. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms whereby miR-155 regulates cytokine production by DCs.Methods: The formation of autophagosomes in DCs was detected by transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of LC3, Beclin-1, P62, p-mTOR and p-Akt in DCs. TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β expression were investigated by ELISA. MiR-155 mimics were transfected to DCs to evaluate its effects on autophagy and cytokine production. RNA interference was used to downregulate the expression of TAB2.Results: The formation of autophagosomes was found in DCs of active BD patients. The expressions of LC3-Ⅱ, Beclin-1, P62, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly increased in DCs of active BD patients compared to that of healthy controls. The autophagy promoter (3-MA) and inhibitor (rapamycin) significantly decreased or increased the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β by DCs. The expression of LC3-Ⅱand Beclin-1 were significantly increased, but the expression of P62 proteins was decreased in DCs transfected with miR-155 mimics or after TAB2 was downregulated. The expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were decreased in DCs after miR-155 was upregulated or TAB2 was downregulated. The ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were decreased in DCs after miR-155 was upregulated.Conclusions: These results suggest that miR-155 affects the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β by DCs through activation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and by affecting the process of autophagy.