MiRNA-30a inhibits AECs-II apoptosis by blocking mitochondrial fission dependent on Drp-1

Apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs-II) is a key determinant of initiation and progression of lung fibrosis. However, the mechanism of miR-30a participation in the regulation of AECs-II apoptosis is ambiguous. In this study, we investigated whether miR-30a could block AECs-II apoptosis by repressing mitochondrial fission dependent on dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp-1). The levels of miR-30a in vivo and in vitro were determined through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The inhibition of miR-30a in AECs-II apoptosis, mitochondrial fission and its dependence on Drp-1, and Drp-1 expression and translocation were detected using miR-30a mimic, inhibitor-transfection method (gain- and loss-of-function), or Drp-1 siRNA technology. Results showed that miR-30a decreased in lung fibrosis. Gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that the up-regulation of miR-30a could decrease AECs-II apoptosis, inhibit mitochondrial fission, and reduce Drp-1 expression and translocation. MiR-30a mimic/inhibitor and Drp-1 siRNA co-transfection showed that miR-30a could inhibit the mitochondrial fission dependent on Drp-1. This study demonstrated that miR-30a inhibited AECs-II apoptosis by repressing the mitochondrial fission dependent on Drp-1, and could function as a novel therapeutic target for lung fibrosis.