MiR-146a-5p Contributes to Microglial Polarization Transitions Associated With AGEs

M1/M2 polarization transitions of microglial phenotypes determine the states of neuroinflammation, which is critical in the pathophysiology of diabetic encephalopathy. This study aims to investigate the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the microglial polarization state, the role of miR-146a-5p in the regulation of microglial polarization, and the underlying signaling pathways. BV-2 cells were incubated with N-ε-carboxymethyl lysine (CML), one kind of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs), to induce polarization. CD11b and iNOS and CD206 and Arg-1 were used to evaluate M1 and M2 microglia, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of miR-146a-5p, transcription factor NF-κB, and inflammasome NLRP3 were measured. High and low expression of miR-146a-5p in the BV-2 cell line was generated by lentivirus transfection technology. RAGE, TLR-4, and NF-κB antagonists were applied to evaluate the underlying signaling pathways. Compared with the control group, CML upregulated the M1 phenotype and downregulated the M2 phenotype. These effects were reversed by overexpression of miR-146a. Furthermore, the expression of inflammasome NLRP3 and NF-κB was upregulated in the CML group and was reduced after miR-146a overexpression. And then overexpression of miR-146a effects was reversed by inhibition miR-146a expression. An NF-κB antagonist (PDTC), a RAGE antagonist (FPS-ZMI), and a TLR-4 antagonist (TLI-095) all reversed the polarization state induced by CML. In summary, CML induced polarization transitions to M1 phenotype and promoted inflammasome NLRP3 expression in BV-2 cells. The RAGE or TLR-4/miR-146a/NLRP3/NF-кB pathway might participate in the regulation of CML-induced BV-2 polarization.