MiR‐548a‐3p regulates inflammatory response via TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway in rheumatoid arthritis

• Published in: Journal of cellular biochemistry 2019-02, Vol.120 (2), p.1133-1140
• Main Authors: Wang, Yingliang, Zheng, Feng, Gao, Guohong, Yan, Shushan, Zhang, Laixia, Wang, Li, Cai, Xiao, Wang, Xiaodong, Xu, Donghua, Wang, Jibo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arthritis; Cell proliferation; Encapsulation; Exosomes; Inflammation; Inflammatory response; Leukocytes (mononuclear); microRNAs; miRNA; Molecular modelling; NF‐κB; Pathogenesis; Patients; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Polymerase chain reaction; Rheumatoid arthritis; Signal transduction; Signaling; TLR4; TLR4 protein; Toll-like receptors
• ISSN: 0730-2312; 1097-4644
• DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26659

Currently published studies have implicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) including exosomes‐encapsulated miRNAs play a critical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previously, we have found that exosomes‐encapsulated miR‐548a‐3p was significantly decreased in serum samples from RA patients by miRNAs microarray analysis. However, little is known of the role of miR‐548a‐3p in the development and progression of RA. In this study, we aim to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR‐548a‐3p in RA, which will provide new insight into understanding the pathogenesis of RA and identifying novel therapeutics targets for this disease. As validated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), the expression of miR‐548a‐3p in serum exosomes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RA patients (n = 76) was obviously down‐regulated compared with healthy controls (n = 20). Serum exosomal miR‐548a‐3p was negatively associated with levels of CRP, RF, and ESR in serum of patients with RA. MiR‐548a‐3p could inhibit the proliferation and activation of pTHP‐1 cells by regulating the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway. Accordingly, exosomes‐delivered miR‐548a‐3p may be a critical factor predicting the disease activity of RA. MiR‐548a‐3p/TLR4/NF‐κB axis can serve as promising targets for RA diagnosis and treatment. MiR‐548a‐3p inhibited the proliferation and activation of pTHP‐1 cells via TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway.