MicroRNAs and the resolution phase of inflammation in macrophages

Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signal the presence of pathogens and tissue injury, triggering the inflammatory process in macrophages. The goal of inflammation is to resolve the injury and return the body to homeostasis. MicroRNAs are an important group of regulators of TLR signaling and several are induced by TLRs in macrophages. These TLR-induced microRNAs target signaling components in the TLR pathway, thereby producing a negative feedback loop, and they are therefore prime candidates for the initiation of repair. Importantly, their dysregualtion may be important for chronic inflammation, which in turn can lead to autoimmunity and cancer, as discussed in this Viewpoint.