Abstract |
MicroRNAs have been shown to be important regulators of immune homeostasis as patients with aberrant microRNA expression appeared to be more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. We recently found that miR-146a was up-regulated in activated B cells in response to rat acetylcholine receptor (AChR) α-subunit 97-116 peptide, and this up-regulation was significantly attenuated by AntagomiR-146a. Our data also demonstrated that silencing miR-146a with its inhibitor AntagomiR-146a effectively ameliorated clinical myasthenic symptoms in mice with ongoing experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Furthermore, multiple defects were observed after miR-146a was knocked down in B cells, including decreased anti-R97-116 antibody production and class switching, reduced numbers of plasma cells, memory B cells and B-1 cells, and weakened activation of B cells. Previously, miR-146a has been identified as a nuclear factor-κB-dependent gene and predicted to base pair with the tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 ( TRAF6) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) genes to regulate the immune response. However, our study proved that miR-146a inhibition had no effect on the expression of TRAF6 and IRAK1 in B cells. This result suggests that the function of miR-146a in B cells does not involve these two target molecules. We conclude that silencing miR-146a exerts its therapeutic effects by influencing the B-cell functions that contribute to the autoimmune pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.
|
Authors | JunMei Zhang, Ge Jia, Qun Liu, Jue Hu, Mei Yan, BaiFeng Yang, Huan Yang, WenBin Zhou, Jing Li |
Journal | Immunology
(Immunology)
Vol. 144
Issue 1
Pg. 56-67
(Jan 2015)
ISSN: 1365-2567 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 24962817
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Copyright | © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
Chemical References |
- MicroRNAs
- Mirn146 microRNA, mouse
- TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
- Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases
- Irak1 protein, mouse
|
Topics |
- Animals
- B-Lymphocytes
(immunology, pathology)
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
(genetics, immunology)
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Gene Silencing
- Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases
(genetics, immunology)
- Mice
- MicroRNAs
(genetics, immunology)
- Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental
(genetics, immunology, pathology, therapy)
- Rats
- TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
(genetics, immunology)
|