<i>miR-146a</i> – <i>Traf6</i> regulatory axis controls autoimmunity and myelopoiesis, but is dispensable for hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis and tumor suppression

Abstract

Significance Aberrant inflammation is the root cause of numerous human diseases, from autoimmunity to cancer. microRNA-146a ( miR-146a ), a member of a large class of small regulatory RNAs, functions as a critical molecular brake on inflammation and malignant transformation. However, the molecular mechanism through which miR-146a exerts its regulatory activity in immune cells is unclear. Using mouse genetics, we have examined the role of the miR-146a–Traf6 signaling axis and found that although this miRNA–target interaction is responsible for regulating normal myeloid cell development and autoimmunity, it is dispensable for hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis and tumor suppression.