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Updated: May 15, 2026
Culture of myeloid dendritic cells from bone marrow precursors
Published on: July 25, 2008
Age-associated changes in microRNA expression in bone marrow derived dendritic cells
Seungbum Park1, Soowon Kang, Kyung Hoon Min
1College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
MiRNAs have shown to regulate aging process at the level of cellular senescence, tissue aging, and lifespan of whole organism. Given that many miRNAs also function as important regulators of hematopoietic system as well as aging process, it is highly likely that miRNAs would be involved in the changes of myeloid function and differentiation during aging. Therefore, here we examine differential expression of miRNAs in aged myeloid lineage cells and assess if altered miRNA expression pattern would reflect the change of miRNA targets and related function. We demonstrated that the expressions of myelogenic miRNAs such as miR-155, miR-223, miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-132, miR-142-5p, and miR-142-3p were increased in aged bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC) under normal and activated conditions. We also observed that the expressions of IRAK1 and TRAF6, the targets of miR-146a, and DC-SIGN, a target of miR-155 were diminished while miR-146a and miR-155 were augmented during aging. In addition, we found that the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is mediated by the activation of NF-kB pathway via IRAK1 and TRAF6, was greatly reduced in aged BMDC. Taken together, our data reveal that age-associated changes occur in miRNA expression in BMDC, and this altered miRNA expression affects miRNA target expression and compromises BMDC function such as cytokine production during aging.
Insights
Aging alters microRNA (miRNA) expression in myeloid cells, impacting their function. Specifically, increased myelogenic miRNAs in aged dendritic cells reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of cellular processes, including aging and hematopoietic system development.
- Age-associated changes in myeloid cell function are known, but the role of miRNAs remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential miRNA expression in aged myeloid lineage cells.
- To assess the impact of altered miRNA expression on miRNA targets and myeloid cell function during aging.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miRNA expression in aged bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC).
- Quantification of specific myelogenic miRNAs (e.g., miR-155, miR-146a) and their target genes (e.g., IRAK1, TRAF6, DC-SIGN).
- Assessment of pro-inflammatory cytokine production in aged BMDC.
Main Results:
- Increased expression of myelogenic miRNAs (miR-155, miR-223, miR-146a, etc.) in aged BMDC.
- Decreased expression of miRNA targets (IRAK1, TRAF6, DC-SIGN) with corresponding miRNA upregulation.
- Reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in aged BMDC, linked to NF-kB pathway alterations.
Conclusions:
- Age-associated miRNA expression changes in BMDC affect target gene regulation.
- Altered miRNA profiles compromise BMDC function, notably reducing cytokine production during aging.
