ABSTRACT
MicroRNAs ( miRNAs ) , a highly conserved and non coding RNA, modulates gene expression via inhibiting the translation of protein and thereby influences cell fate and function.A large body of literature demonstrates that miRNAs plays a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis through modulating immune cell differentiation, function as well as apoptosis.As important antigen presentation cells, dendritic cells ( DCs) play a central role in the initiation and control of the adaptive immune response in the peripheral lymphatic system.Uncontrolled inflammatory response and immunosuppressive response followed by tissue and organ dysfunction were associated with DC loss and apoptosis after septic challenge.This review will focus on the effect of miRNAs on DC function and apoptosis, and its potential role in sepsis.