MiR-155 regulates neutrophil extracellular trap formation and lung injury in abdominal sepsis

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)-mediated tissue damage is a hallmark in abdominal sepsis. Under certain conditions, microRNAs (miRs) can regulate protein expression and cellular functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-155 in sepsis-induced NET formation, lung inflammation, and tissue damage. Abdominal sepsis was induced in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 and miR-155 gene-deficient mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The amount of DNA-histone complex formation as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone 3 in neutrophils isolated from bone marrow were examined by ELISA and flow cytometry. NETs were detected by electron microscopy in the septic lung. Levels of PAD4 and citrullinated histone 3 were determined by Western blot in the blood neutrophils. Lung levels of MPO, CXC chemokines, and plasma levels of DNA-histone complexes and CXC chemokines were quantified. In vitro studies revealed that neutrophils from miR-155 gene-deficient mice had less NETs forming ability than WT neutrophils. In the miR-155 gene-deficient mice, CLP yielded much less NETs in the lung tissue compared with WT control. CLP-induced PAD4 levels, histone 3 citrullination, edema, MPO activity, and neutrophil recruitment in the lung were markedly reduced in the mice lacking miR-155. Furthermore, tissue and plasma levels of CXCL1 and CXCL2 were significantly lower in the miR-155 gene-deficient mice compared with WT after induction of abdominal sepsis. Taken together, our findings suggest that miR-155 regulates pulmonary formation of NETs in abdominal sepsis via PAD4 up-regulation and histone 3 citrullination. Thus, targeting miR-155 could be a useful target to reduce pulmonary damage in abdominal sepsis.