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Published on: May 21, 2018
MicroRNA-223 downregulation promotes HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome
Yani Yu1, Hui Dong2, Yue Zhang3
1Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its related protein, HBV X (HBx), play an important role in podocyte injury in HBV-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN). The microRNA MiR-223 is expressed in several diseases, including HBV-associated disease, while the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a major role in pyroptosis. In this study, we investigated the function and mechanism of action of miR-223 in HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis. A quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay showed that miR-223 was downregulated in HBx-transfected podocytes. Transfection with an miR-223 mimic abolished the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cytokines that are released as a result of NLRP3 overexpression. Moreover, transfection with HBx and NLRP3 overexpression plasmids increased the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, especially in the presence of miR-223 inhibitors. Thus, miR-223 downregulation plays an important role in HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting that miR-223 is a potential therapeutic target for alleviating HBV-GN inflammation.
Insights
MicroRNA-223 (miR-223) downregulation promotes podocyte pyroptosis in Hepatitis B virus X (HBx)-associated kidney disease. Restoring miR-223 levels may offer a therapeutic strategy for Hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) contributes to podocyte injury in Hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).
- The NLRP3 inflammasome mediates pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, and is implicated in kidney diseases.
- MicroRNA-223 (miR-223) is involved in various disease processes, including those related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and mechanism of miR-223 in HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis.
- To determine if miR-223 targets the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in this context.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess miR-223 expression.
- Transfection of podocytes with miR-223 mimics, miR-223 inhibitors, HBx, and NLRP3 overexpression plasmids.
- Analysis of NLRP3 inflammasome components and pyroptosis-related proteins.
Main Results:
- miR-223 was found to be downregulated in HBx-transfected podocytes.
- Overexpression of miR-223 suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent cytokine release.
- Inhibition of miR-223 exacerbated HBx and NLRP3-induced pyroptosis.
Conclusions:
- Downregulation of miR-223 is a key factor in HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis via targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.
- miR-223 represents a potential therapeutic target for mitigating inflammation in HBV-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).
