Advances in miRNA regulation of Th17/Treg balance / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are two distinct subsets of T cells that play a key role in the development of autoimmunity and inflammation. Th17 cells are thought to be the key effector T cells that induce inflammatory responses while Tregs inhibit the development of inflammation by regulating effector T cell activity to maintain peripheral immune tolerance. Th17/Treg imbalance can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNA molecules in eukaryotes that play important regulatory roles in the maintenance of homeostasis in the immune system and the development of autoimmune diseases. Abnormal expression of miRNA will result in a broken or dysfunctional balance of differentiation between Th cell subsets, leading to inflammation or autoimmune diseases. This article provides an overview of the research advances in miRNA regulation of Th17/Treg balance to explore the role and clinical significance of miRNAs in Th17/Treg balance and maintenance of immune system balance.