Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Development and Application of a Canine IBD Gut-on-a-Chip Model for 3D Intestinal Morphogenesis Studies
Published on: February 9, 2024
MicroRNA-125a suppresses intestinal mucosal inflammation through targeting ETS-1 in patients with inflammatory bowel
Yadong Ge1, Mingming Sun1, Wei Wu1
1Department of Gastroenterology, The Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.
MicroRNA (miR)-125a is highly expressed in T cells and regulates the functions of Treg through the IL-6-STAT3 signaling pathway. However, the role of miR-125a in regulating immune responses in intestinal mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is still not understood. Here we showed that miR-125a expression was decreased in PBMC and inflamed intestinal mucosa from IBD patients compared with that in healthy controls. Transduction with LV-miR-125a into IBD CD4+ T cells could significantly inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production, including IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17A. RNA-seq analysis of miR-125a-/- CD4+ T cells revealed enhanced genes (e.g., Stat1, Stat3, RORγt, Irf4, Klf13) in T cell activation and effector pathways, while ETS-1 as its functional target promoted IBD CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th1 cells. Consistently, miR-125a-/- mice developed more severe colitis induced by TNBS compared with WT mice. Thus, our data suggest that miR-125a protects intestinal mucosa from inflammatory injury and that ETS-1 as its target participates in the pathogenesis of IBD.
MicroRNA (miR)-125a is highly expressed in T cells and regulates the functions of Treg through the IL-6-STAT3 signaling pathway. However, the role of miR-125a in regulating immune responses in intestinal mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is still not understood. Here we showed that miR-125a expression was decreased in PBMC and inflamed intestinal mucosa from IBD patients compared with that in healthy controls. Transduction with LV-miR-125a into IBD CD4+ T cells could significantly inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production, including IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17A. RNA-seq analysis of miR-125a-/- CD4+ T cells revealed enhanced genes (e.g., Stat1, Stat3, RORγt, Irf4, Klf13) in T cell activation and effector pathways, while ETS-1 as its functional target promoted IBD CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th1 cells. Consistently, miR-125a-/- mice developed more severe colitis induced by TNBS compared with WT mice. Thus, our data suggest that miR-125a protects intestinal mucosa from inflammatory injury and that ETS-1 as its target participates in the pathogenesis of IBD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
MicroRNAs

