Micro RNA-17-92 cluster mediates interleukin-4-suppressed IL-10 expression in B cells

The pathogenesis of allergen-related inflammation in the intestine is to be further understood. Micro RNA (miR) can regulate immune responses. This study aims to investigate the role of miR-17-92 cluster in the induction of food allergen-related inflammation in the intestine. In this study, a mouse model of food allergen-related intestinal inflammation was developed. Expression of miR-17-92 cluster in B cells of the intestinal mucosa was analyzed by real time quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that the levels of miR-19a, one of the members of the miR-17-92 cluster, were detected in the B cells of the intestine of mice sensitized to ovalbumin, which was significantly higher than that in naïve control mice. The expression of IL-10 by B cells was significantly lower in the sensitized mice as compared with naive control mice. Exposure to IL-4 in the culture increased the expression of miR-19a as well as suppression the expression of IL-10 in B cells via remolding DNA structure at the IL-10 promoter locus. We conclude that B cells from sensitized mice show higher levels of miR-19a, which plays an important role in the suppression of IL-10 in the B cells.