Reducing interferon'ce in stem cells

Alycia Gardner1,2, Brian Ruffell1,3

  • 1Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.

Nature Cell Biology
|June 1, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Normal breast and cancer stem cells use miR-199a to control immune responses. This microRNA targets the LCOR protein, reducing sensitivity to type I interferon signaling and influencing stem cell plasticity.

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Stem cell plasticity is influenced by immune system interactions, but mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for regenerative medicine and cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of microRNAs in regulating stem cell responses to immune signals.
  • To identify specific molecular pathways involved in stem cell plasticity and immune modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of microRNA expression in breast stem cells.
  • Functional assays to determine the impact of miR-199a on gene expression.
  • Investigation of protein-protein interactions involving LCOR.

Main Results:

  • Breast and cancer stem cells employ miR-199a to downregulate the LCOR corepressor.
  • Reduced LCOR levels lead to minimized responses to type I interferon.
  • This mechanism impacts stem cell plasticity and immune evasion.

Conclusions:

  • miR-199a is a key regulator of stem cell plasticity by modulating immune signaling pathways.
  • Targeting miR-199a or LCOR may offer therapeutic strategies for cancer and stem cell-related diseases.

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