mascRNA promotes macrophage apoptosis, inhibits osteoclast differentiation and attenuates disease progression in a murine model of arthritis

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2022 Jun 30:611:151-157. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.04.084. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Abstract

Macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have been considered as a therapeutic target of this disease. Here we show that mascRNA, a tRNA-like cytoplasmic small noncoding RNA, promoted RIPK1-dependent apoptosis (RDA) in RAW267.4 macrophages in response to the TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol (5Z-7) alone as well as in combination with TNF. Moreover, mascRNA suppressed RANKL-induced expression of osteoclast marker genes and attenuated RANKL signaling. Using a murine model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), we demonstrated that mascRNA, administered either alone or in combination with 5Z-7, alleviated joint inflammation in CIA mice. Thus, mascRNA might be a promising agent for the treatment of RA.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Arthritis; Macrophage; Osteoclast; mascRNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Arthritis, Experimental* / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Experimental* / pathology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / drug therapy
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Mice
  • Osteoclasts / pathology