Dysregulated microRNA expression in IL-4 transgenic mice, an animal model of atopic dermatitis

Arch Dermatol Res. 2021 Dec;313(10):837-846. doi: 10.1007/s00403-020-02176-w. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

Abstract

IL-4 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Previously we showed that the expression of genes in chemotaxis, angiogenesis, inflammation and barrier functions is dysregulated in IL-4 transgenic (Tg) mice, a well-characterized AD mouse model. In this study, we aim to study differential expression of microRNAs in IL-4 Tg mice. As compared with wild-type mice, we found that 10 and 79 microRNAs are dysregulated in the skin of IL-4 mice before and after the onset of skin lesions, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis and previous reports show that these dysregulated microRNAs may be involved in the NF-κB, TLRs, IL-4/IL-13, MAPK and other pathways. We also found that miR-139-5p and miR-196b-3p are significantly up-regulated in the peripheral blood of IL-4 Tg mice. Taken together, our data have identified many dysregulated microRNAs in IL-4 Tg mice, which may play important roles in AD pathogenesis and pathophysiology.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; IL-4 transgenic mice; MicroRNA.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / genetics
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Il4 protein, mouse
  • MIRN139 microRNA, mouse
  • MIRN196 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Interleukin-4