The Practical Landscape of Cytokine‐Targeted miRNAs to Enhance NK Cell Function in Cancer Immunotherapy: A Bioinformatic Analysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Suppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME) hampered natural killer (NK) cells and their role in cancer immunotherapy. This study explores how interleukin (IL) signaling (IL-12A, IL-12B, IL-15, IL-18) and interferon gamma (IFNG or IFN-γ) interact with microRNAs to regulate NK cell function in cancer. METHODS: We identify the targeted microRNAs (miRNAs) for these genes and the key pathways influencing various cancers through comprehensive analyses, including protein-protein interaction networks, protein co-expression, miRNA targeting prediction, homology, mRNA-miRNA regulatory networks, gene set enrichment, and signaling pathway analysis. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed a significant association between genes encoding interleukins and IFNG with NK cell infiltration across various cancers. Additionally, we identified several miRNAs (hsa-miR-590-3p, hsa-miR-340-5p, hsa-miR-495-3p, hsa-miR-5692a, hsa-miR-130a-3p) that potentially regulate NK cell function by targeting these genes. These miRNAs participate in critical pathways essential for NK cell function. Notably, our findings suggest a key role for mRNA-miRNA co-regulation in suppressing NK cells within the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential of targeting these identified miRNAs as a strategy to enhance NK cell function and improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Source: Cancer Reports
DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.70192
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,280
OpenAlex ID: W4409206223