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

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.