For example, our recent miRNA-seq analysis revealed that miR-10a-5p was highly expressed in apical periodontitis, and overexpression of miR-10a-5p in vitro resulted in the downregulation of TNF-α and upregulation of IL-10, indicating that this most significantly upregulated miRNA in apical periodontitis may function in suppressing inflammation and promoting healing.30 Therefore, functional characterization of miRNAs plays a pivotal role in understanding the pathophysiology and will ease the development of biomarkers and therapeutic targets in apical periodontitis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is periapical periodontitis.