In a recent study in the journal Immunity, NIAMS investigators provide new insight into mechanisms of disease by the adaptive immune system. T helper 17 cells have been implicated in many autoimmune diseases, and this study identifies microRNA-221 and -222 as factors that limit a pro-inflammatory immune response.

Read the abstract:
MicroRNA-221 and -222 modulate intestinal inflammatory Th17 cell response as negative feedback regulators downstream of Interleukin-23.

The research was conducted by the Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch and collaborators, with Dr. John O'Shea as senior author.