The Functional Analysis of MicroRNAs Involved in NF-κB Signaling

Nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) is a transcriptional factor that regulates a large number of genes that controls diverse biological functions, ranging from inflammation, cell proliferation and tumor development to learning and memory. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in most aspects of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, viral infections, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. miRNAs also play an important role in the regulation of NF-kB signaling pathway, some being inhibitory and others activating. Here, we analyzed the convergence of miRNAs involved in NF-kB signaling regulation and dysregulation of miRNAs and NF-kB activation in human diseases, particularly in cancer. The function of miR-146, miR-125b, miR-21, miR-301a, miR-30b, and miR-199 and their impacts on tumorigenesis are analyzed in this work. miRNAs as one of the most abundant classes of regulatory molecules, deciphering their biological function and pathological contribution in NF-kB dysregulation is essential to understand the complexity of immune systems and to develop therapeutics against cancer.