Plant microRNAs as novel immunomodulatory agents

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 25761
• Main Authors: Cavalieri, Duccio, Rizzetto, Lisa, Tocci, Noemi, Rivero, Damariz, Asquini, Elisa, Si-Ammour, Azeddine, Bonechi, Elena, Ballerini, Clara, Viola, Roberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 11.05.2016; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 13; 13/31; 13/51; 14; 14/1; 14/34; 14/63; 49/109; 631/250; 631/250/256; 631/80/86; 64; 64/60; 96/106; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Science
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/srep25761

An increasing body of literature is addressing the immuno-modulating functions of miRNAs which include paracrine signaling via exosome-mediated intercellular miRNA. In view of the recent evidence of intake and bioavailability of dietary miRNAs in humans and animals we explored the immuno-modulating capacity of plant derived miRNAs. Here we show that transfection of synthetic miRNAs or native miRNA-enriched fractions obtained from a wide range of plant species and organs modifies dendritic cells ability to respond to inflammatory agents by limiting T cell proliferation and consequently dampening inflammation. This immuno-modulatory effect appears associated with binding of plant miRNA on TLR3 with ensuing impairment of TRIF signaling. Similarly, in vivo , plant small RNAs reduce the onset of severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelities by limiting dendritic cell migration and dampening Th1 and Th17 responses in a Treg-independent manner. Our results indicate a potential for therapeutic use of plant miRNAs in the prevention of chronic-inflammation related diseases.