Chapters authored
Epigenetic Regulation of Th2 Response in Asthma by Non-Coding RNAs
Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease. Pathogenic mechanism underlying asthma is complex. The inflammatory response of asthma includes lymphocytes (T, B cells), ILC2, eosinophils and other types of immune and inflammatory cells. T CD4+ T helper 2 cells (Th2 cells) are thought to play a central role in regulating the phenotype of allergic asthma. Asthma is often closely associated with Th1/Th2 cell imbalance. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are non-protein coding RNA molecules in the transcriptome, mainly including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs and circRNAs, etc., which are widely found in eukaryotic transcriptome and participate in the regulation of a variety of biological processes. ncRNAs are considered to function as modulators of the immune system. Their biological changes represent an important mechanism for the development of immune-mediated diseases. This chapter mainly discusses the epigenetic regulation of Th2 cells and their cytokines in asthma by non-coding RNAs. It helps us to better understand the pathogenesis of asthma and find potential asthma biomarkers.
Part of the book: Recent Advances in Asthma Research and Treatments
The Relationship between microRNAs, ILC2s and Th2 Cells
Asthma is a common and chronic inflammatory disease. The pathogenic mechanism underlying asthma is complex. Many inflammatory cells have been recognized as involved in asthma, containing lymphocytes (T, B cells), ILC2s, eosinophils, and other types of immune and inflammatory cells. It is well-established that allergen-specific Th2 cells play a central role in developing allergic asthma. In addition, in recent years, increasing studies have found that ILC2s can contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma by promoting the immune response of Th2 and secreting Th2 cytokines. MicroRNAs (MiRNAs and MiRs) is involved in immune inflammation and can induce excessive secretion of Th2 cytokines. The regulation of miRNAs to their targeting genes plays an important role in the development of asthma. This chapter has discussed altered expression and functions of miRNAs in Th2 and ILC2s in asthma, in order to better understand the mechanics of pathogenesis of asthma, and provide potential miRNA diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets.
Part of the book: New Perspectives on Asthma