Mesenchymal stem cells reverse EMT process through blocking the activation of NF-κB and Hedgehog pathways in LPS-induced acute lung injury

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Oct 15;11(10):863. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-03034-3.

Abstract

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pulmonary disorder, which can result in fibrosis of the lung tissues. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has become a novel therapeutic method for ALI. However, the potential mechanism by which MSC regulates the progression of ALI remains blurry. The present study focused on investigating the mechanism underneath MSC-reversed lung injury and fibrosis. At first, we determined that coculture with MSC led to the inactivation of NF-κB signaling and therefore suppressed hedgehog pathway in LPS-treated MLE-12 cells. Besides, we confirmed that MSC-exosomes were responsible for the inhibition of EMT process in LPS-treated MLE-12 cells through transmitting miRNAs. Mechanism investigation revealed that MSC-exosome transmitted miR-182-5p and miR-23a-3p into LPS-treated MLE-12 cells to, respectively, target Ikbkb and Usp5. Of note, Usp5 interacted with IKKβ to hamper IKKβ ubiquitination. Moreover, co-inhibition of miR-182-5p and miR-23a-3p offset the suppression of MSC on EMT process in LPS-treated MLE-12 cells as well as in LPS-injured lungs of mice. Besides, the retarding effect of MSC on p65 nuclear translocation was also counteracted after co-inhibiting miR-182-5p and miR-23a-3p, both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, MSC-exosome transmitted miR-23a-3p and miR-182-5p reversed the progression of LPS-induced lung injury and fibrosis through inhibiting NF-κB and hedgehog pathways via silencing Ikbkb and destabilizing IKKβ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury / metabolism*
  • Acute Lung Injury / pathology
  • Acute Lung Injury / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B