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Distinct Effects of Respiratory Viral Infection Models on miR-149-5p, IL-6 and p63 Expression in BEAS-2B and A549

Nafeesa Shahdab1, Christopher Ward2, Philip M Hansbro3

  • 1National Horizons Centre, School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK.

Cells
|June 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-149-5p dysregulation impacts airway epithelial repair by affecting IL-6 and p63. This study reveals its role in poly (I:C) viral challenges but not SARS-CoV-2 spike protein exposure in bronchial cells.

Area of Science:

  • * Molecular Biology
  • * Cell Biology
  • * Immunology

Background:

  • * Respiratory viral infections trigger airway inflammation, epithelial injury, and repair processes.
  • * MicroRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-149-5p, are crucial regulators of various pathological conditions.
  • * Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and p63 are key proteins involved in airway epithelial wound healing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the role of miR-149-5p in regulating IL-6 and p63 expression in bronchial (BEAS-2B) and alveolar (A549) epithelial cells.
  • * To determine how miR-149-5p responds to viral components like poly (I:C) and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (S1 and S2).

Main Methods:

  • * Exposure of BEAS-2B and A549 cells to poly (I:C) or SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 proteins.
  • * Quantification of miR-149-5p, IL-6, and p63 levels using molecular assays.
  • * Manipulation of miR-149-5p expression via ectopic over-expression in BEAS-2B cells.

Main Results:

  • * Poly (I:C) suppressed miR-149-5p, increasing IL-6 and p63 in BEAS-2B cells, while A549 cells showed increased IL-6 but undetectable p63.
  • * SARS-CoV-2 S1 and S2 proteins did not alter miR-149-5p levels; S1 increased IL-6 in BEAS-2B cells.
  • * Over-expressing miR-149-5p in BEAS-2B cells suppressed IL-6 and p63 mRNA and inhibited poly (I:C)-induced expression, confirming direct IL-6 suppression.

Conclusions:

  • * BEAS-2B and A549 cells exhibit differential responses to poly (I:C) and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
  • * miR-149-5p dysregulation is implicated in poly (I:C)-induced IL-6 and p63 increases in BEAS-2B cells.
  • * miR-149-5p does not appear to be involved in the IL-6 response to SARS-CoV-2 S1 or S2 stimulation in these cells.
Keywords:
IL-6SARS-CoV-2 spike proteinepithelial cellsmiR-149-5pp63poly (I:C)

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