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miR-142-3p Regulates Airway Inflammation Through PTEN/AKT in Children and Mice with Asthma
Huiman Huang1,2, Bo Sun1,2, Bo Li1,2
1Department of Neonatology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are differentially expressed in childhood asthma. Inhibiting miR-142-3p in mice alleviated asthma symptoms and inflammation by regulating the PTEN/AKT pathway.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition in children.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in asthma development and progression.
- Investigating circulating miRNAs offers potential for asthma biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed miRNAs in the peripheral blood of children with asthma.
- To determine the role of specific miRNAs in regulating airway inflammation.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies for childhood asthma targeting miRNAs.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput sequencing of peripheral blood miRNAs from asthmatic and healthy children.
- Inhibition of miR-142-3p in a mouse model of asthma.
- Assessment of asthma symptoms, pulmonary inflammation (H&E staining, ELISA), and PTEN/AKT pathway activation (qPCR, Western blot).
- Dual-luciferase reporter assay to confirm miR-142-3p targets.
Main Results:
- Fifty-one differentially expressed miRNAs were identified between the groups.
- Inhibition of miR-142-3p in asthmatic mice significantly reduced asthma symptoms and pulmonary inflammation.
- miR-142-3p inhibition reversed PTEN downregulation and AKT activation in mouse lung tissue.
Conclusions:
- Differential miRNA expression is evident in the peripheral blood of children with asthma.
- miR-142-3p plays a crucial role in regulating airway inflammation.
- The PTEN/AKT pathway is a key mechanism through which miR-142-3p modulates asthma pathology.
Background:
Asthma is the most common chronic pulmonary disease in children. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a regulatory role in the occurrence and development of asthma. We aimed to explore the differential expression of miRNAs in the peripheral blood of children with asthma and identify a miRNA that can alleviate asthma inflammation.
Methods:
We used high-throughput sequencing to analyze differences in peripheral blood miRNA between children with acute asthma and healthy children, followed by target gene prediction and functional enrichment analysis. We inhibited miR-142-3p's expression in asthmatic mice to observe asthma symptoms. Inflammatory changes in lung tissue were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and ELISA. Subsequently, the target gene of miR-142-3p was identified through a dual-luciferase reporter assay, and PTEN and AKT expression levels in mice lung tissue were determined using qPCR and western blot.
Results:
Fifty one differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. Inhibition of miR-142-3p expression in asthmatic mice reversed the downregulation of PTEN and activation of AKT in lung tissue, while also significantly alleviating symptoms and pulmonary inflammation in the asthmatic mice.
Conclusion:
miRNAs were differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of children with asthma. miR-142-3p regulates airway inflammation via the PTEN/AKT pathway.
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