Additionally, the mRNA levels of MEL genes IRF4, IL16, and IL6R, all of which have known immunomodulatory roles affecting lymphocyte activation, chemotaxis and differentiation, were diminished in cells expressing the MES-associated miR-125b-5p, implicating miR-125b-5p as a pan-immune modifying miR in melanoma (Fig. 5b, c). Here, IL16 is linked to melanoma.