%0 Journal Article
%T Immunoregulatory network and cancer-associated genes: molecular links and relevance to aging
%A Robi Tacutu
%A Arie Budovsky
%A Hagai Yanai
%A et al.
%J Network Biology
%D 2011
%I International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
%X Although different aspects of cancer immunity are a subject of intensive investigation, an integrative view on the possible molecular links between immunoregulators and cancer-associated genes has not yet been fully considered. In an attempt to get more insights on the problem, we analyzed these links from a network perspective. We showed that the immunoregulators could be organized into a miRNA-regulated PPI network-the immunoregulatory network. This network has numerous links with cancer, including (i) cancerassociated immunoregulators, (ii) direct and indirect protein-protein interactions (through the common protein partners), and (iii) common miRNAs. These links may largely determine the interactions between the host's immunity and cancer, supporting the possibility for co-expression and post-transcriptional co-regulation of immunoregulatory and cancer genes. In addition, the connection between immunoregulation and cancer may lie within the realm of cancer-predisposing conditions, such as chronic inflammation and fibroproliferative repair. A gradual, age-related deterioration of the integrity and functionality of the immunoregulaory network could contribute to impaired immunity and generation of cancer-predisposing conditions.
%K immunoregulators
%K cancer genes
%K protein-protein interactions (PPI)
%K PPI network
%K micro RNAs (miRNAs)
%K aging
%U http://www.iaees.org/publications/journals/nb/articles/2011-1(2)/Immunoregulatory-network-and-cancer-associated-genes.pdf