MicroRNA-150 Deletion Reduces the Occurrence and Severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting IL-17

• Published in: Iranian journal of immunology Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 89 - 100
• Main Authors: Zhang, Aihong, Zheng, Quanhui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research 12-03-2024
• Subjects: Animal models; CD4 antigen; Epigenetics; Flow cytometry; Gene expression; Immunohistochemistry; Interleukin 17; Interleukin 4; Lymphocytes T; MicroRNAs; miRNA; Pathogenesis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Synovial fluid; Tumor necrosis factor-α; γ-Interferon; MicroRNA-150; Rheumatoid Arthritis; IL-17
• ISSN: 1735-1383; 1735-367X
• DOI: 10.22034/iji.2024.99855.2666

Understanding the effects of epigenetic factors on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important for the early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of this disease. MicroRNA-150 (miR-150) exerts an important influence on the development and function of lymphocytes. However, the role of miR-150 in the pathogenesis of RA remains unclear.
To explore the role of miR-150 in the pathogenesis of RA and the related immune mechanism.
In this study, we used miR-150 knock-out (miR-150KO) and created animal models of RA. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and real-time RT-PCR were employed to assess the frequency of T cell subsets and cytokines expression.
Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, the onset of RA was postponed and the incidence of RA was reduced in miR-150KO mice. The expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ significantly increased while the expression of IL-17 decreased significantly in NKT and CD4+ T cells of KO mice compared to that of WT mice after RA induction. In addition, the expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ increased while the expression of IL-17 decreased significantly in the joint tissues of KO mice compared to that of WT mice. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-17 decreased significantly in the synovial fluid cells of KO mice compared to that of the WT mice after RA induction.
MiR-150 deficiency decreases the expression of IL-17 in T cells and joint tissues, and alleviates the occurrence and progression of RA in mice.