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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Immunol Rev. 2013 May;253(1):65–81. doi: 10.1111/imr.12061

Fig. 4. miRNAs repress stochastic gene expression by setting a threshold.

Fig. 4

miRNAs can set genetic thresholds. (A) Random interaction of a cytokine with its receptor results in a subthreshold integrated response, which does not pass the threshold and therefore the cell does not react. (B) Continued or stronger cytokine signals amplify the integrated response which leads to an output once the threshold is passed. (C) In the absence of miRNA regulation, there is no threshold and therefore random cytokine signals lead to a cellular response. (D) In the absence of a miRNA the cell responds to continued or stronger cytokine signals. The response can be the same or intensified.