Non-Coding RNA Mediated Regulation of Allogeneic T Cell Responses After Hematopoietic Transplantation

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is an effective therapy for several malignant and non-malignant disorders. The precise control of allogeneic T cells is critical for successful outcomes after BMT. The mechanisms governing desirable (graft-versus-leukemia) versus undesirable (graft-versus-host disease) allogeneic responses remain incompletely understood. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) are controllers of gene expression that fine-tune cellular responses. Multiple microRNAs (miRNAs), a type of ncRNA, have recently been shown to influence allogeneic T cell responses in both murine models and clinically. Here, we review the role of various miRNAs that regulate T cell responses, either positively or negatively, to allo-stimulation and highlight their potential relevance as biomarkers and as therapeutic targets for improving outcomes after allogeneic BMT.