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Immunity & Ageing
Published in: Immunity & Ageing 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Review

miR-181a-regulated pathways in T-cell differentiation and aging

Authors: Chulwoo Kim, Zhongde Ye, Cornelia M. Weyand, Jörg J. Goronzy

Published in: Immunity & Ageing | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory noncoding RNAs important for many aspects of cellular processes including cell differentiation and proliferation. Functions of numerous miRNAs have been identified in T cells, with miR-181a regulating T cell activation thresholds during thymic T cell development and during activation of peripheral T cells. Intriguingly, miR-181a is implicated in defective antiviral and vaccine responses in older individuals, as its expression declines in naïve T cells with increasing age. Here, we review the pathways that are regulated by miR-181a and that explain the unique role of miR-181a in T cell development, T cell activation and antiviral T cell responses. These studies provide a framework for understanding how a decline in miR-181a expression in T cells could contribute to age-related defects in adaptive immunity. We furthermore review the mechanisms that cause the age-related decline in miR-181a expression and discuss the potential of restoring miR-181a expression or targeting miR-181a-regulated pathways to improve impaired T cell responses in older individuals.
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Metadata
Title
miR-181a-regulated pathways in T-cell differentiation and aging
Authors
Chulwoo Kim
Zhongde Ye
Cornelia M. Weyand
Jörg J. Goronzy
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Immunity & Ageing / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4933
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-021-00240-1

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