MicroRNAs and Immune-Related Disorders

Autoimmune disorders have a high prevalence worldwide with several presentations causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Most autoimmune disorders exhibit a multifactorial nature that often involves both genetic factors and environmental factors. Among the latest causes of autoimmune disorders are epigenetic mechanisms, especially those involving miRNAs. MiRNAs showed critical activities in regulating immune reactions and immune cell development. MiRNAs that are highly expressed by immune system cells—are called “immune-miRNAs.” These miRNAs play pivotal roles in immune system responses and include miR-16, miR-17/92 cluster, miR-21, miR-124, miR-142, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181, and miR-223. This chapter presents the key roles of immune-miRNAs in the regulation of the immune system, their contributions in autoimmune diseases, and their functions in major autoimmune diseases including dermatological disorders, rheumatological diseases, gastrointestinal related diseases, disorders of the nervous system, and endocrine disorders.