MiRNA-133a aggravates inflammatory responses in sepsis by targeting SIRT1

Lei Chen1, Wenfeng Xie2, Lichun Wang1

  • 1Department of Intensive Care Unit, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510655 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Abstract

Insights

MicroRNA-133a (miR-133a) exacerbates sepsis by suppressing SIRT1. Inhibiting miR-133a reduces organ damage and inflammation, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Sepsis is a life-threatening systemic inflammatory response.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of immune responses, but miR-133a's role in sepsis is unclear.
  • Understanding miR-133a's mechanism is vital for developing novel sepsis therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and mechanism of miR-133a in sepsis.
  • To determine the relationship between miR-133a and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in sepsis.
  • To evaluate miR-133a as a potential therapeutic target for sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages established sepsis models.
  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), H&E staining, and ELISA assessed miR-133a, cytokine levels, and organ injury.
  • Dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and Western blot (WB) assays elucidated the miR-133a-SIRT1 interaction.

Main Results:

  • miR-133a expression was significantly upregulated in sepsis patients and mouse models.
  • miR-133a knockdown ameliorated sepsis-induced lung, liver, and kidney injuries and inflammation.
  • miR-133a inhibition suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages, an effect reversed by SIRT1 silencing.

Conclusions:

  • miR-133a promotes sepsis-related inflammation by inhibiting SIRT1 expression.
  • Targeting miR-133a presents a promising therapeutic strategy for sepsis.
  • The miR-133a/SIRT1 axis is a key player in sepsis pathogenesis.