MicroRNA-144-3p enhances LPS induced septic acute lung injury in mice through downregulating Caveolin-2

Immunol Lett. 2021 Mar:231:18-25. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.12.015. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Abstract

Objective: The emphasis of this study focused on the possible implication and the mechanism of miR-144-3p in septic acute lung injury (ALI) condition.

Methods: Mice were pre-injected with miR-144-3p agomir, miR-144-3p antagomir, sh-Caveolin-2 or PBS before 10 mg/kg LPS induced sepsis model establishment. The ratio of wet weight of lung tissues and body weight (W/W) was calculated. The pathological changes on lung tissues were observed by H&E staining. Secretions of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in both mouse serum and lung tissues were determined by ELISA. Cell apoptosis and cell morphology were measured by TUNEL staining and H&E staining. The expressions of miR-144-3p, Caveolin-2, apoptotic related proteins and JAK/STAT pathway related proteins were measured by qRT-PCR or/and Western blot. Dual luciferase reporter assay was applied to detect the binding of miR-144-3p with Caveolin-2.

Results: LPS resulted in increased W/W, disrupted lung tissue, enhanced inflammatory response and cell apoptosis. miR-144-3p was upregulated while Caveolin-2 was downregulated in response to LPS treatment. Inflammation and cell apoptosis induced by LPS can be alleviated by miR-144-3p antagomir injection, but enhanced by miR-144-3p agomir or sh-Caveolin-2 treatment. miR-144-3p can negatively target Caveolin-2. miR-144-3p can activate the JAK/STAT signal pathway through Caveolin-2 in septic ALI mouse.

Conclusion: miR-144-3 can promote LPS induced septic ALI through downregulating Caveolin-2 to activate the JAK/STAT signal pathway.

Keywords: Caveolin-2; JAK/STAT signal pathway; LPS; Septic acute lung injury; miR-144-3p.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Caveolin 2 / genetics*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • RNA Interference*
  • STAT Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Sepsis / diagnosis*
  • Sepsis / etiology*
  • Sepsis / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Caveolin 2
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MIRN144 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • STAT Transcription Factors
  • Janus Kinases