Targeting HMGB1-TLR4 signaling by miR-216a-5p elevation alleviates the inflammatory behavioral hypersensitivity

Zhou Zhenzhen1, Liu Fenghao2, Ma Meina1

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province 061001, PR China.

Neuroscience Letters
|June 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-216a-5p (miR-216a-5p) alleviates inflammatory pain by suppressing microglial activation and neuroinflammation. It targets high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), reducing inflammatory responses and hypersensitivity.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Neuroinflammation, driven by microglial activation, plays a key role in inflammatory pain.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging regulators of inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-216a-5p in inflammatory pain.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-216a-5p in microglial activation and pain hypersensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain mouse model.
  • Employed LPS-activated BV2 microglia cell models.
  • Performed luciferase reporter assays to identify miRNA targets.
  • Assessed microglial activation markers (IBA-1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), and signaling pathways (HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB).
  • Investigated the therapeutic potential of intrathecal delivery of miR-216a-5p.

Main Results:

  • Decreased miR-216a-5p and increased high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were observed in inflammatory pain models.
  • HMGB1 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-216a-5p.
  • miR-216a-5p overexpression suppressed microglial activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and the HMGB1-TLR4-NF-κB pathway.
  • Intrathecal delivery of miR-216a-5p ameliorated CFA-induced hyperalgesia in mice.

Conclusions:

  • miR-216a-5p exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting microglial activation.
  • The mechanism involves targeting HMGB1 and subsequently modulating the TLR4-NF-κB pathway.
  • miR-216a-5p represents a promising therapeutic target for managing inflammatory pain.