Increased duodenal expression of miR-146a and -155 in pediatric Crohn’s disease

Figure 4 Schematic representation of the target interactions between transforming growth factor-β - microRNA-146a, -155 and -122. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is considered to be a major anti-inflammatory cytokine playing an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. MicroRNA (miR)-146a, -155 and -122 act as possible regulators of the TGF-β signal transduction, with capacity to induce apoptosis, cell migration, invasion and proliferation. Moreover, TGF-β induces and represses the transcription of various genes. Data shown in the figure are based on MiRTarBase Database. SMAD: Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog; RhoA: Ras homolog gene family, member A.