MAP3K2 and ulcerative colitis: Subsequent analysis of MAP3K2 mRNA and protein levels under DSS treatment conditions revealed that miR-340-5p suppressed MAP3K2 expression in DSS-treated HT-29 cells, confirming that miR-340-5p influences UC pathogenesis by inhibiting MAP3K2. Although the interaction between miR-340-5p and MAP3K2 has been previously documented in other pathological contexts, such as endometriosis [36] and acute exacerbation of COPD [47], its role in ulcerative colitis, particularly in the pediatric population, remains entirely unexplored.