MKRN2 attenuates LPS-induced apoptosis in lung epithelial cells via ubiquitination-mediated p53 degradation

The complex pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting lung epithelial cell apoptosis. Makorin ring finger protein 2 (MKRN2), functioning as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis by specifically recognizing and promoting the degradation of p53. However, the precise mechanisms by which MKRN2 contributes to ARDS progression remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed adenovirus-mediated gene delivery, siRNA interference, and overexpression plasmid transfection to manipulate MKRN2 expression levels. LPS was used to induce both in vivo and in vitro models of ARDS. Histopathological changes in lung tissue and mitochondrial ultrastructure were examined using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy. Inflammatory factors, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis rates were quantified using ELISA and flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was further validated using TUNEL assay. The expression levels of MKRN2, p53, and associated apoptotic proteins were evaluated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to elucidate the regulatory role of MKRN2 on the p53 pathway, while Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and ubiquitination assays were used to confirm the direct interaction between MKRN2 and p53. Our results showed that MKRN2 overexpression significantly alleviated LPS-induced lung injury both in vivo and in vitro models, as evidenced by reduced inflammatory factor release, decreased ROS production, improved mitochondrial morphology, and suppressed apoptosis, primarily through downregulation of the pro-apoptotic factor p53. In contrast, MKRN2 silencing exacerbated these injuries. Transcriptome analysis further supported that MKRN2 modulates apoptosis via the p53 signaling pathway, and Co-IP experiments confirmed that MKRN2 promotes the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of p53. Collectively, these findings suggest that MKRN2 exerts protective effects against LPS-induced lung tissue injury by targeting p53 for ubiquitin-mediated degradation.