The role of microRNAs in the control and mechanism of action of IL-10.

Recent studies have shown an important interplay between Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and microRNAs. IL-10 can be directly post-transcriptionally regulated by several microRNA, including miR-106a, miR-4661, miR-98, miR-27, let7 and miR-1423p/5p. miRNA targeting of IL-10 has been suggested to play a role in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as SLE, reperfusion injury and asthma. Another miRNA, miR-21, has been shown to indirectly regulate IL-10 via downregulation of the IL-10 inhibitor PDCD4. The targeting of IL-10 in this way has been linked to host defence modulation by Mycobacterium leprae. Viral miRNAs, such as miR-K12-3 from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), can also decrease IL-10 to promote tumour development. Finally this interplay can operate in a feedback loop, with IL-10 capable of regulating microRNAs, upregulating those that can contribute to exerting the anti-inflammatory response, such as miR-187, and downregulating those that are highly pro-inflammatory, such as miR-155. Understanding the two-way regulation between miRNA and IL-10 is giving rise to new insights into this important cytokine.