Target genes of predominantly downregulated miRNAs in PMECs at 3 hpc with E. coli were significantly enriched in canonical pathways such as IL-10 signaling (IL1A, IL10RB, IL1RAP, and NFKBIA); NF-ĸB signaling (BMP2, IL1A, MAP3K8, NFKBIA, and TNFAIP3); peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling (IL1A, IL1RAP, NFKBIA, and PPARG); tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) signaling (BIRC3, NFKBIA, and TNFAIP3); and the role of osteoblasts, osteoclasts and chondrocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (BIRC3, BMP2, IL1A, IL1RAP, and NFKBIA) (Fig. 5b). Here, TNFAIP3 is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.