MicroRNA-142 regulates gut associated lymphoid tissues and group 3 innate lymphoid cells

Luke B Roberts, Joana F Neves, Dave C H Lee, Sara Valpione, Roser Tachó-Piñot, Jane K Howard, Matthew R Hepworth, Graham M Lord

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The transcriptomic signatures that shape responses of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been well characterised, however post-transcriptional mechanisms which regulate their development and activity remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that ILC groups of the intestinal lamina propria express mature forms of microRNA-142 (miR-142), an evolutionarily conserved microRNA family with several non-redundant regulatory roles within the immune system. Germline Mir142 deletion alters intestinal ILC compositions, resulting in the absence of T-bet + populations and significant defects in the cellularity and phenotypes of ILC3 subsets including CCR6 + LTi-like ILC3s. These effects were associated with decreased pathology in an innate-immune cell driven model of colitis. Furthermore, Mir142 -/- mice demonstrate defective development of gut-associated lymphoid tissues, including a complete absence of mature Peyer's patches. Conditional deletion of Mir142 in ILC3s (Rorc Δ Mir142) supported cell-intrinsic roles for these microRNAs in establishing or maintaining cellularity and functions of LTi-like ILC3s in intestinal associated tissues. RNAseq analysis revealed several target genes and biological pathways potentially regulated by miR-142 microRNAs in these cells. Finally, lack of Mir142 in ILC3 led to elevated IL-17A production. These data broaden our understanding of immune system roles of miR-142 microRNAs, identifying these molecules as critical post-transcriptional regulators of ILC3s and intestinal mucosal immunity.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMucosal Immunology
Early online date7 Sept 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 7 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • Innate Lymphoid Cells
  • ILC3
  • miR-142
  • Intestine
  • Peyer’s Patches

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