Plant microRNAs as novel immunomodulatory agents

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

490

Duccio Cavalieri1,2, Lisa Rizzetto1, Noemi Tocci1

  • 1Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.

Scientific Reports
|May 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Plant-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) can dampen immune responses by modifying dendritic cell function. These findings suggest plant miRNAs hold therapeutic potential for chronic inflammatory diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Plant Science

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in immune modulation through intercellular communication.
  • Dietary miRNAs have demonstrated intake and bioavailability in humans and animals.
  • The immunomodulatory potential of plant-derived miRNAs remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunomodulatory capacity of plant-derived miRNAs.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of plant miRNAs in inflammatory conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of synthetic miRNAs and plant miRNA-enriched fractions into dendritic cells.
  • Assessment of dendritic cell response to inflammatory agents.
  • Evaluation of T cell proliferation and inflammatory markers.
  • In vivo studies using Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) models.
  • Analysis of plant miRNA binding to Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and downstream signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Plant miRNAs, both synthetic and native, modulated dendritic cell responses, limiting T cell proliferation and reducing inflammation.
  • The immunomodulatory effect was linked to plant miRNA binding to TLR3, impairing TRIF signaling.
  • In vivo, plant small RNAs reduced EAE severity by inhibiting dendritic cell migration and dampening Th1/Th17 responses independently of Tregs.

Conclusions:

  • Plant-derived miRNAs possess significant immunomodulatory properties.
  • Plant miRNAs offer a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating chronic inflammation-related diseases.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

18.1K
Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells07:19

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

Published on: September 28, 2011

37.0K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.6K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

12.0K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
8.2K
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
28.5K
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
1.3K