The Role of MiRNAs in Immune Cell Development, Immune Cell Activation, and Tumor Immunity: With a Focus on Macrophages and Natural Killer Cells

Overview

Journal Cells

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Biophysics
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Date 2019 Sep 27

PMID 31554344

Citations 34

Authors

Shi Jun Xu

Hong Tao Hu

Hai Liang Li

Suhwan Chang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the primary arena where tumor cells and the host immune system interact. Bidirectional communication between tumor cells and the associated stromal cell types within the TME influences disease initiation and progression, as well as tumor immunity. Macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the stromal compartment and display either pro- or anti-tumor properties, depending on the expression of key regulators. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as such regulators. They affect several immune cell functions closely related to tumor evasion of the immune system. This review discusses the role of miRNAs in the differentiation, maturation, and activation of immune cells as well as tumor immunity, focusing particularly on macrophages and NK cells.

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