MicroRNA 146a-5p (miR-146a-5p) (miR-146a-5p)

MicroRNA 146a-5p (miR-146a-5p) is a key regulatory non-coding RNA that acts as a molecular brake on the innate immune system. It is primarily induced by the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by ligands such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), creating a negative feedback loop to prevent hyper-inflammation (Taganov et al., 2006). In macrophages and dendritic cells, miR-146a-5p targets the signaling adapters IRAK1 and TRAF6, which are essential for NF-kappaB activation (Saba et al., 2014). Furthermore, miR-146a-5p can be sequestered into exosomes and transferred between cells, allowing for the paracrine modulation of inflammatory responses in the microenvironment (Alexander et al., 2015). Dysregulation of this miR-146a-5p-mediated network is implicated in chronic inflammatory conditions, sepsis, and various malignancies (Labbaye & Testa, 2012). While no miR-146a-specific drugs are currently FDA-approved, miR-146a mimics and antagomirs are being investigated in preclinical models to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer by either restoring or inhibiting this regulatory pathway (Saba et al., 2014).

Other names

MIR146Ahsa-miR-146a-5pMicroRNA 146amiR-146ahsa-miR-146a

MicroRNA 146a-5p functions as a post-transcriptional repressor that binds to the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs, specifically Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). This binding leads to mRNA degradation or translational inhibition, which suppresses the activation of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway downstream of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thereby dampening the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Taganov et al., 2006; Saba et al., 2014).