MiR-375 induces ROS and apoptosis in ST cells by targeting the HIGD1A gene

HIGD1A can reduce ROS and apoptosis in cells under low-glucose or hypoxic conditions, and HIGD1A is one of the target genes for miR-375, according to our previous studies. However, it is not known whether miR-375 can indirectly regulate ROS and apoptosis in porcine Sertoli cells. To answer this question, HIGD1A and miR-375 were overexpressed in porcine Sertoli cells, and ROS and apoptosis were assayed. The results showed that ROS levels and expression levels of CASPASE3 in HIGD1A-overexpressing cells were significantly lower than those in the control cells. However, ROS levels and CASPASE3 expression in miR-375-overexpressing cells were significantly higher than those in the control cells. The rate of apoptosis in HIGD1A-overexpressing cells was significantly lower than that in miR-375-overexpressing cells. Considering that the HIGD1A gene is a target of miR-375, these findings suggest that miR-375 can induce an increase in ROS levels and apoptosis by inhibiting HIGD1A in porcine ST cells.