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Published on: November 27, 2014
MicroRNA-181c-5p modulates phagocytosis efficiency in bone marrow-derived macrophages
Sarojini Singh1, John Henderson1, Mallikarjun Patil1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine and School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, USA.
Objective And Design:
Phagocytosis and clearance of apoptotic cells are essential for inflammation resolution, efficient wound healing, and tissue homeostasis. MicroRNAs are critical modulators of macrophage polarization and function. The current study aimed to investigate the role of miR-181c-5p in macrophage phagocytosis.
Materials And Methods:
miR-181c-5p was identified as a potential candidate in microRNA screening of RAW264.7 macrophages fed with apoptotic cells. To investigate the role of miR-181c-5p in phagocytosis, the expression of miR-181c-5p was assessed in phagocyting bone marrow-derived macrophages. Phagocytosis efficiency was measured by fluorescence microscopy. Gain- and loss-of-function studies were performed using miR-181c-5p-specific mimic and inhibitor. The expression of the phagocytosis-associated genes and proteins of interest was evaluated by RT2 profiler PCR array and western blotting, respectively.
Results:
miR-181c-5p expression was significantly upregulated in the phagocyting macrophages. Furthermore, mimic-induced overexpression of miR-181c-5p resulted in the increased phagocytic ability of macrophages. Moreover, overexpression of miR-181c-5p resulted in upregulation of WAVE-2 in phagocyting macrophages, suggesting that miR-181c-5p may regulate cytoskeletal arrangement during macrophage phagocytosis.
Conclusion:
Altogether, our data provide a novel function of miR-181c-5p in macrophage biology and suggest that targeting macrophage miR-181c-5p in injured tissues might improve clearance of dead cells and lead to efficient inflammation resolution.
Insights
MicroRNA-181c-5p enhances macrophage phagocytosis, crucial for clearing apoptotic cells. Targeting this microRNA could improve inflammation resolution and tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Phagocytosis and clearance of apoptotic cells are vital for resolving inflammation, healing wounds, and maintaining tissue homeostasis.
- MicroRNAs play a key role in regulating macrophage polarization and function, influencing immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific role of microRNA-181c-5p (miR-181c-5p) in the process of macrophage phagocytosis.
Main Methods:
- Identified miR-181c-5p in screening of RAW264.7 macrophages during apoptotic cell feeding.
- Assessed miR-181c-5p expression in bone marrow-derived macrophages during phagocytosis.
- Utilized gain- and loss-of-function studies with miR-181c-5p mimics/inhibitors, and analyzed gene/protein expression via PCR array and Western blotting.
Main Results:
- miR-181c-5p expression was significantly increased in macrophages actively phagocytosing cells.
- Overexpression of miR-181c-5p enhanced macrophage phagocytic capacity.
- miR-181c-5p upregulation correlated with increased WAVE-2 expression, suggesting a role in cytoskeletal regulation during phagocytosis.
Conclusions:
- This study reveals a novel function for miR-181c-5p in macrophage biology, specifically in regulating phagocytosis.
- Targeting miR-181c-5p in macrophages within injured tissues may enhance the clearance of dead cells, promoting effective inflammation resolution.
