Changes in miRNA Gene Expression during Wound Repair in Differentiated Normal Human Bronchial Epithelium

Airway epithelium acts as a protective barrier against the particles from the inhaled air. Damage to the epithelium may result in loss of the barrier function. Epithelial repair in response to injury requires complex mechanisms, such as microRNA, small noncoding molecules, to regulate the processes involved in wound repair. We aimed to establish if the microRNA gene expression profile is altered during the airway epithelial repair in differentiated cells.

miRNA gene expression profile during the wound closure of differentiated normal human bronchial epithelium (NHBE) from one donor was analysed using quantitative real-time PCR. We have analysed the expression of 754 genes at five time points during a 48-hour period of epithelium repair using TaqMan Low Density Array.

We found out that 233 miRNA genes were expressed in normal human bronchial epithelium. Twenty miRNAs were differentially expressed during the wound repair process, but only one (miR-455-3p) showed significance after FDR adjustment (p = 0.02). Using STEM, we have identified two clusters of several miRNA genes with similar expression profile. Pathway enrichment analysis showed several significant signaling pathways altered during repair, mainly involved in cell cycle regulation, proliferation, migration, adhesion, and transcription regulation.

miRNA expression profile is altered during airway epithelial repair of differentiated cells from one donor in response to mechanical injury in vitro, suggesting their potential role in wound repair.