Antagonism of microRNA-126 suppresses the effector function of TH2 cells and the development of allergic airways disease

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Nov 3;106(44):18704-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0905063106. Epub 2009 Oct 20.

Abstract

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lung characterized by abnormal T helper-2 (T(H)2) lymphocyte responses to inhaled antigens. The molecular mechanisms leading to the generation of T(H)2 responses remain unclear, although toll-like receptors (TLRs) present on innate immune cells play a pivotal role in sensing molecular patterns and in programming adaptive T cell responses. Here we show that in vivo activation of TLR4 by house dust mite antigens leads to the induction of allergic disease, a process that is associated with expression of a unique subset of small, noncoding microRNAs. Selective blockade of microRNA (miR)-126 suppressed the asthmatic phenotype, resulting in diminished T(H)2 responses, inflammation, airways hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil recruitment, and mucus hypersecretion. miR-126 blockade resulted in augmented expression of POU domain class 2 associating factor 1, which activates the transcription factor PU.1 that alters T(H)2 cell function via negative regulation of GATA3 expression. In summary, this study presents a functional connection between miRNA expression and asthma pathogenesis, and our data suggest that targeting miRNA in the airways may lead to anti-inflammatory treatments for allergic asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / complications
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Silencing
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / deficiency
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / immunology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / deficiency
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • MIRN126 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4