MicroRNA在自然杀伤细胞发育分化及功能调控过程中的作用

The role of microRNA in the developmental and functional regulation of NK cells

摘要:

自然杀伤（natural killer，NK）细胞是固有免疫系统中重要的效应细胞，在宿主抗感染、抗肿瘤中发挥重要作用，并参与免疫调节。NK细胞主要由骨髓造血干细胞发育分化而来，NK细胞的发育、成熟及功能依赖于微环境、胞内转录因子及转录后水平的调节。MicroRNA作为一种小非编码RNA，主要在转录后水平上调节靶基因的表达，在NK细胞的生命过程中发挥重要作用。研究发现年龄会影响NK细胞的miRNA表达谱，进而影响NK细胞的发育与功能。基于miRNA对NK细胞发育及功能的调节作用，miRNA可能作为潜在的靶标来保护或恢复患者NK细胞功能，从而治疗相关疾病。为此，文中将对microRNA在NK细胞发育分化及功能调控过程中的研究进展做初步概述。

Abstract:

Natural killer (NK) cells are important innate effector cells serving as the first line of defense against certain infections and tumors. NK cells also play a role in regulating immune responses. NK cells develop from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The development, maturation and function of NK cells depend on the regulation of microenvironment, intracellular transcription factors and post-transcriptional regulations. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of target genes at the post-transcriptional level. It also plays important roles in various life processes of NK cells, including regulating the activation and effector function of NK cells. We showed that the miRNA profiles in NK cells changed with aging, which in turn affected the development and function of NK cells. Based on the regulatory effect of miRNA on the development and function of NK cells, miRNA may serve as a potential target to protect or restore the function of NK cells in patients, thereby treating related diseases. Here, we briefly summarized recent advances on the roles of miRNA in the developmental and functional regulation of NK cells.