MicroRNA 497 modulates interleukin 1 signalling via the MAPK/ERK pathway

► miR-497 is a novel regulator of MEK1 via binding to its 3′UTR. ► RAF1 and ERK1, but not ERK2, were also targeted by miR-497. ► miR-497 repressed phosphorylation cascade of ERK pathway upon IL-1 stimulation. ► miR-497 indirectly activated P38 pathway upon IL-1 stimulation. ► IL-1 induced IL-6 transcription was impaired by miR-497.