Since the discovery of the first microRNA (miRNA) in 1993, thousands of miRNAs have been identified in humans and mice and many of them have been shown to control a large variety of cellular processes in different cell types including those composing the immune system. MicroRNAs regulate virtually all aspects of immune cell development, differentiation and function. Studies have shown that these molecules are involved in the maintenance of lymphocyte tolerance and, when dysregulated, promote the development of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge about the roles of miRNAs in B cell tolerance and their contribution to autoimmunity, highlighting additional roles for some of these miRNAs in T cell tolerance. Finally, we will comment on miRNAs that promote both autoimmunity and lymphoma.

自 1993 年发现第一个 microRNA (miRNA) 以来，已在人类和小鼠中鉴定出数千种 miRNA，其中许多已被证明可以控制不同细胞类型（包括构成免疫系统的细胞）中的多种细胞过程。MicroRNA 几乎调节免疫细胞发育、分化和功能的所有方面。研究表明，这些分子参与维持淋巴细胞耐受性，并在失调时促进自身免疫性疾病的发展。在这篇综述中，我们关注有关 miRNA 在 B 细胞耐受中的作用及其对自身免疫的贡献的当前知识，强调其中一些 miRNA 在 T 细胞耐受中的其他作用。最后，我们将评论促进自身免疫和淋巴瘤的 miRNA。