Inflammatory cytokines regulate microRNA-155 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells by activating JAK/STAT pathway

► Combination of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-1β increased microRNA-155 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. ► Two putative STAT1 binding elements are present in the MIR155 gene promoter region. ► Increase in miR-155 expression was associated with increase in STAT1 activation. ► Increase in miR-155 expression was associated with increase in protein binding to putative STAT1 binding elements. ► Increases in miR-155 expression, STAT1 activation and protein binding were blocked by JAK inhibitor 1.