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Overexpression of miR-516a-5p Promotes Erosive Oral Lichen Planus: In Vitro Study Based on Bioinformatics Analyses
Yan Chen1, Chen-Xi Li2,3, Rui Xue4
1Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Preventive Dentistry, School/Hospital of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the differentially expressed microRNAs in erosive oral lichen planus, followed by analyzing how the overexpression of identified miR-516a-5p influences human oral mucosal fibroblasts.
Material And Methods:
High-throughput sequencing using tissues from patients and healthy individuals identified varying microRNA expression profiles in erosive oral lichen planus tissues. Bioinformatics analysis subsequently revealed the enriched pathways and targeted genes involved. In vitro experiments were performed to confirm the validity of bioinformatic findings.
Results:
A total of 82 microRNAs were differentially expressed in erosive oral lichen planus tissues. These microRNAs are mainly linked to T helper cell differentiation that enriched in MAPK signaling pathways, as well as targeting mRNAs like MAPK11. Overexpression of miR-516a-5p resulted in a statistically significant decrease in MAPK11 mRNA level in human oral mucosal fibroblasts. Overexpression of miR-516a-5p increased TNF-α and IFN-γ levels, whereas it decreased IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13 levels. Overexpression of miR-516a-5p enhanced both the proliferation and migration of human oral mucosal fibroblasts.
Conclusions:
The miR-516a-5p overexpression in patients with erosive oral lichen planus may contribute to the imbalance of T helper 1/2 cell-associated inflammatory cytokine expression in human oral mucosal fibroblasts by targeting MAPK11 mRNA, promoting their proliferative and migratory capacities.
Insights
MicroRNA-516a-5p overexpression in erosive oral lichen planus may alter inflammatory cytokines and boost fibroblast proliferation and migration by targeting MAPK11. This finding sheds light on OLP pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) is an inflammatory condition with complex molecular underpinnings.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression implicated in various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed miRNAs in EOLP.
- To investigate the functional role of miR-516a-5p in human oral mucosal fibroblasts (OMFs).
Main Methods:
- High-throughput sequencing of miRNA expression profiles from EOLP tissues and healthy controls.
- Bioinformatics analysis to identify enriched pathways and target genes.
- In vitro experiments involving miR-516a-5p overexpression in OMFs.
Main Results:
- 82 miRNAs were differentially expressed in EOLP, primarily associated with T helper cell differentiation and MAPK signaling pathways.
- miR-516a-5p overexpression significantly decreased MAPK11 mRNA levels in OMFs.
- miR-516a-5p altered inflammatory cytokine profiles (increased TNF-α, IFN-γ; decreased IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13) and enhanced OMF proliferation and migration.
Conclusions:
- miR-516a-5p overexpression in EOLP contributes to T helper 1/2 cell-associated inflammatory cytokine imbalance.
- Targeting MAPK11 mRNA by miR-516a-5p promotes OMF proliferation and migration, potentially influencing EOLP progression.
