MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of the host immune and inflammatory response against bacterial pathogens. In the present review, we discuss target genes, target gene functions, the potential regulatory role of miRNAs in periodontal tissues, and the potential role of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutics. In periodontal disease, miRNAs exert control over all aspects of innate and adaptive immunity, including the functions of neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells and T and B cells. Previous human studies have highlighted some key miRNAs that are dysregulated in periodontitis patients. In the present study, we mapped the major miRNAs that were altered in our reproducible periodontitis mouse model relative to control animals. The miRNAs that were upregulated as a result of periodontal disease in both human and mouse studies included miR-15a, miR-29b, miR-125a, miR-146a, miR-148/148a and miR-223, whereas miR-92 was downregulated. The association of individual miRNAs with unique aspects of periodontal disease and their stability in gingival crevicular fluid underscores their potential as markers for periodontal disease progression or healthy restitution. Moreover, miRNA therapeutics hold great promise for the future of periodontal therapy because of their ability to modulate the immune response to infection when applied in conjunction with synthetic antagomirs and/or relatively straightforward delivery strategies.
Adaptive Immunity ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; immunology ; Periodontal Diseases ; genetics ; immunology

The choice of specific promoters used within a transgene construct is a vital strategy to achieve the transgene regulation in the temporal, spatial and measurable manner. The strategy has been widely used in diverse aspects of plant gene engineering, such as quality improvement, resistance breeding and bioreactor. In this paper, we describe the structure feature, classification and research method of the specific promoter and its application progresses in plant gene engineering.
Animals ; Bioreactors ; Breeding ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Plants ; genetics ; immunology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the important mechanisms to regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. One of the original functions of RNAi is to facilitate the antiviral strategy of host. Early studies reveal that invertebrates can use RNAi to resist viruses. However, if this mechanism exists in mammals is still controversial. The latest studies confirm that mammals do have the RNAi-based immunity, and researchers believe that RNAi-based antiviral immunity is a brand-new immunological mechanism that was neglected in the past. It is worthy to note that virus can also use RNAi to enhance its infectivity and immune escape in host cells. This review introduces the research history of RNAi-based antiviral immunity in animals and summarizes the main findings in this field. Last but not least, we indicate a series of unresolved questions about RNAi-based antiviral immunity, and explore the relationship between RNAi-based antiviral immunity and other innate immunological pathways. The virus-mediated RNAi pathway in animal is not only an interesting basic biology question, but also has important guiding roles in the development of antiviral drugs.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; Immunity, Innate/genetics* ; Mammals ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; RNA, Viral

Mitochondrion is known as the energy factory of the cell, which is also a unique mammalian organelle and considered to be evolved from aerobic prokaryotes more than a billion years ago. Mitochondrial DNA, similar to that of its bacterial ancestor’s, consists of a circular loop and contains significant number of unmethylated DNA as CpG islands. The innate immune system plays an important role in the mammalian immune response. Recent research has demonstrated that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) activates several innate immune pathways involving TLR9, NLRP3 and STING signaling, which contributes to the signaling platforms and results in effector responses. In addition to facilitating antibacterial immunity and regulating antiviral signaling, mounting evidence suggests that mtDNA contributes to inflammatory diseases following cellular damage and stress. Therefore, in addition to its well-appreciated roles in cellular metabolism and energy production,mtDNA appears to function as a key member in the innate immune system. Here, we highlight the emerging roles of mtDNA in innate immunity.
Animals ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; immunology ; Mitochondria ; genetics ; immunology ; Signal Transduction

DNA sensor, a kind of pattern recognition receptor (PRR), is widely expressed in innate immune cells. It activates the inflammatory signaling pathways and triggers an innate immune response by recognizing the pathogens or DNA in abnormal host cells. DNA-dependent activator of IFN-regulatory factors (DAI) is the first cytoplasmic DNA receptor discovered, which plays an important role in regulating the innate immune responses characterized by induction of interferon and programmed cell death. The article summarizes the molecular characteristics of DAI, its downstream signaling pathways, and its role and mechanism in anti-infective immunity, tumor immunity and inflammatory diseases. It also makes a preliminary exploration of the correlation between DAI and transplantation immunology, and provides a new target for the therapy of various immune diseases.
DNA/metabolism* ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition ; Immunity, Innate ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*

Pseudorabies is an economically important disease in a variety ot animals caused by pseudorabies virus. Since 2011, pseudorabies outbreaks occurred in many regions of China. Related researches on this virus become a hot topic in virology and veterinary. One of the difficulties for pseudorabies prevention and control is innate immune evasion. Explorations on this issue are conducive to the development of vaccine and drugs. Therefore, this review summarized the recent research progress on the mechanisms of pseudorabies virus innate immune evasion. Theoretical direction was provided on effetive prevention and control of pseudorabies owing to this review.
Animals ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Evasion ; Immunity, Innate ; Pseudorabies ; immunology ; virology

We researched the mechanism of African swine fever virus (ASFV) protein E248R in regulating the cGAS-STING pathway. First, we verified via the dual-luciferase reporter assay system that E248R protein inhibited the secretion of IFN-β induced by cGAS-STING or HT-DNA in a dose-dependent manner. The relative quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the overexpression of E248R inhibited HT-DNA-induced transcription of IFN-b1, RANTES, IL-6, and TNF-α in PK-15 cells. Next, we found that E248R interacted with STING by co-immunoprecipitation assay and laser confocal microscopy. Finally, we demonstrated that E248R inhibited the expression of STING protein by using Western blotting. We demonstrated for the first time that the E248R protein of ASFV suppressed the host innate immune response via inhibiting STING expression. The results are pivotal in extending the understanding of the ASFV immune escape and can guide the design of vaccines against ASFV.
African Swine Fever Virus/genetics* ; Animals ; DNA ; Immunity, Innate ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Swine

The innate immune system initiates innate immune responses by recognizing pathogen-related molecular patterns on the surface of pathogenic microorganisms through pattern recognition receptors. Through cascade signal transduction, it activates downstream transcription factors NF-κB and interferon regulatory factors (IRFs), and then leads to the production of inflammatory cytokines and type Ⅰ interferon, which resists the infection of pathogenic microorganism. TBK1 is a central adapter protein of innate immune signaling pathway and can activate both NF-κB and IRFs. It is a key protein kinase in the process of anti-infection. The finetuning regulation of TBK1 is essential to maintain immune homeostasis and resist pathogen invasion. This paper reviews the biological functions and ubiquitin modification of TBK1 in innate immunity, to provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment of pathogenic infections and autoimmune diseases.
Immunity, Innate ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-3/metabolism* ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Ubiquitin

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in innate immune cells play a pivotal role in the first line of host defense system. PRRs recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to initiate and regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. PRRs include Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs), which have their own features in ligand recognition and cellular location. Activated PRRs deliver signals to adaptor molecules (MyD88, TRIF, MAL/TIRAP, TRAM, IPS-1) which act as important messengers to activate downstream kinases (IKK complex, MAPKs, TBK1, RIP-1) and transcription factors (NF-kappaB, AP-1, IRF3), which produce effecter molecules including cytokines, chemokines, inflammatory enzymes, and type I interferones. Since excessive PRR activation is closely linked to the development of chronic inflammatory diseases, the role of intrinsic and extrinsic regulators in the prevention of over- or unnecessary activation of PRRs has been widely studied. Intracellular regulators include MyD88s, SOCS1, TOLLIP, A20, and CYLD. Extrinsic regulators have also been identified with their molecular targets in PRR signaling pathways. TLR dimerization has been suggested as an inhibitory target for small molecules such as curcumin, cinnamaldehyde, and sulforaphane. TBK1 kinase can be a target for certain flavonoids such as EGCG, luteolin, quercetin, chrysin, and eriodictyol to regulate TRIF-dependent TLR pathways. This review focuses on the features of PRR signaling pathways and the therapeutic targets of intrinsic and extrinsic regulators in order to provide beneficial strategies for controlling the activity of PRRs and the related inflammatory diseases and immune disorders.
Adaptive Immunity ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; *Immunity, Innate ; *Models, Immunological ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition/genetics/metabolism/*physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors/genetics/metabolism/physiology ; Transcription Factors/physiology

A wheat stripe rust resistance gene was screened out from Aegilops tauschii which is relative genera of wheat species, broadening the genetic basis of the anti-disease character of wheat species. By hybridizing diversed Ae. Tauschii species, which is either resistant or susceptible to wheat stripe rust, a dominant wheat stripe rust resistance gene was detected from Ae. Tauschii (Coss.) Schmal Y206. The novel gene was temporarily designated as YrY206. By bulk segregation analysis, four microsatellite markers Wmc11a, Xgwm71c, Xgwm161 and Xgwm183 were found to be linked to YrY206 with genetic distances of 4.0, 3.3, 1.5 and 9.3 cM, respectively. According to the locations of the linked markers, the resistance gene was located on chromosome 3DS. Based on the chromosomal location and the resistance pattern of the gene, YrY206 should be a novel stripe rust resistance gene.
Basidiomycota ; pathogenicity ; Chromosome Mapping ; Immunity, Innate ; genetics ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Plant Diseases ; genetics ; microbiology ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Poaceae ; genetics ; microbiology ; Triticum ; genetics ; microbiology