Plant microRNAs as novel immunomodulatory agents

Sci Rep. 2016 May 11:6:25761. doi: 10.1038/srep25761.

Abstract

An increasing body of literature is addressing the immuno-modulating functions of miRNAs which include paracrine signaling via exosome-mediated intercellular miRNA. In view of the recent evidence of intake and bioavailability of dietary miRNAs in humans and animals we explored the immuno-modulating capacity of plant derived miRNAs. Here we show that transfection of synthetic miRNAs or native miRNA-enriched fractions obtained from a wide range of plant species and organs modifies dendritic cells ability to respond to inflammatory agents by limiting T cell proliferation and consequently dampening inflammation. This immuno-modulatory effect appears associated with binding of plant miRNA on TLR3 with ensuing impairment of TRIF signaling. Similarly, in vivo, plant small RNAs reduce the onset of severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelities by limiting dendritic cell migration and dampening Th1 and Th17 responses in a Treg-independent manner. Our results indicate a potential for therapeutic use of plant miRNAs in the prevention of chronic-inflammation related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / pathology
  • Female
  • Fragaria / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Methylation
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Plant / therapeutic use*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Immunologic Factors
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Plant
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3