Over-expression of miR-223 induces M2 macrophage through glycolysis alteration and attenuates LPS-induced sepsis mouse model, the cell-based therapy in sepsis

PLoS One. 2020 Jul 13;15(7):e0236038. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236038. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The attenuation of hyper-inflammation in sepsis with the administration of anti-inflammatory macrophages is an interesting adjuvant therapy for sepsis. Because the induction of anti-inflammatory macrophages by microRNA (miR), a regulator of mRNA, has been mentioned, the exploration on miR-induced anti-inflammatory macrophages was performed. The over-expression of miR-223 and miR-146a in RAW264.7 induced M2 macrophage-polarization (anti-inflammatory macrophages) as evaluated by the enhanced expression of Arginase-1 and Fizz. However, miR-223 over-expressed cells demonstrated the more potent anti-inflammatory property against LPS stimulation as lesser iNOS expression, lower supernatant IL-6 and higher supernatant IL-10 compared with miR-146a over-expressed cells. Interestingly, LPS stimulation in miR-223 over-expressed cells, compared with LPS-stimulated control cells, demonstrated lower activity of glycolysis pathway and higher mitochondrial respiration, as evaluated by the extracellular flux analysis, and also down-regulated HIF-1α, an important enzyme of glycolysis pathway. In addition, the administration of miR-223 over-expressed macrophages with IL-4 pre-conditioning, but not IL-4 stimulated control cells, attenuated sepsis severity in LPS injected mice as evaluated by serum creatinine, liver enzymes, lung histology and serum cytokines. In conclusion, miR-223 interfered with the glycolysis pathway through the down-regulation of HIF-1α, resulting in the anti-inflammatory status. The over-expression of miR-223 in macrophages prevented the conversion into M1 macrophage polarization after LPS stimulation. The administration of miR-223 over-expressed macrophages, with IL-4 preconditioning, attenuated sepsis severity in LPS model. Hence, a proof of concept in the induction of anti-inflammatory macrophages through the cell-energy interference for sepsis treatment was proposed as a basis of cell-based therapy in sepsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glycolysis*
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • Macrophage Activation
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / transplantation*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Sepsis / chemically induced
  • Sepsis / metabolism
  • Sepsis / pathology
  • Sepsis / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MIRN223 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs

Grants and funding

Asada Leelahavanichkul was supported by Thailand Government Fund (RSA6080023), Thailand Government Fund 2016 to 2018 and Ratchadapisek Sompoch Endowment Fund Chulalongkorn University (760001-HR). Cong Dang Phi was supported the scholarship from The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral Scholarship.