1. MiRNA-Mediated Macrophage Polarization and its Potential Role in the Regulation of Inflammatory Response
- Author
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Kobina Essandoh, Jiuzhou Huo, Guo-Chang Fan, and Yutian Li
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Antigen presentation ,Macrophage polarization ,Biology ,Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine ,Article ,Mice ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Immune system ,microRNA ,Gene expression ,Animals ,Humans ,Transcription factor ,Inflammation ,Innate immune system ,Macrophages ,Cell Polarity ,Macrophage Activation ,Acquired immune system ,Cell biology ,MicroRNAs ,030104 developmental biology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Emergency Medicine - Abstract
Monocytes and macrophages are important components of the immune system, specialized in either removing pathogens as part of innate immunity or contributing to adaptive immunity through antigen presentation. Essential to such functions is classical activation (M1) and alternative activation (M2) of macrophages. M1 polarization of macrophages is characterized by production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial and tumoricidal activity, whereas M2 polarization of macrophages is linked to immunosuppression, tumorigenesis, wound repair, and elimination of parasites. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs with the ability to regulate gene expression and network of cellular processes. A number of studies have determined miRNA expression profiles in M1 and M2 polarized human and murine macrophages using microarray and RT-qPCR arrays techniques. More specifically, miR-9, miR-127, miR-155, and miR-125b have been shown to promote M1 polarization while miR-124, miR-223, miR-34a, let-7c, miR-132, miR-146a, and miR-125a-5p induce M2 polarization in macrophages by targeting various transcription factors and adaptor proteins. Further, M1 and M2 phenotypes play distinctive roles in cell growth and progression of inflammation-related diseases such as sepsis, obesity, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. Hence, miRNAs that modulate macrophage polarization may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. This review highlights recent findings in miRNA expression profiles in polarized macrophages from murine and human sources, and summarizes how these miRNAs regulate macrophage polarization. Last, therapeutic potential of miRNAs in inflammation-related diseases through modulation of macrophage polarization is also discussed.
- Published
- 2016