The Role of miR-148a-3p in Atopic Dermatitis and Its Correlation With Inflammation

The study aims to investigate the expression characteristics and functions of miR-148a-3p in atopic dermatitis (AD), as well as its association with inflammation. A total of 150 skin tissue samples from patients with AD and 146 samples from healthy individuals were collected in this study. The expression level of miR-148a-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. An in vitro inflammatory model was established by treating HaCaT cells with TNF-α/IFN-γ. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The levels of inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA and RT-qPCR. The targeting relationship between miR-148a-3p and PTEN was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The expression of miR-148a-3p was significantly upregulated in the skin tissues of patients with AD and in TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. Inhibition of miR-148a-3p could promote cell proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, and significantly reduce the expression of inflammatory factors. PTEN was identified as a direct target of miR-148a-3p. Knockdown of PTEN reversed the protective effect of miR-148a-3p inhibitor on HaCaT cells. Under the context of AD, miR-148a-3p promotes the maintenance of inflammation and cell apoptosis in epidermal keratinocytes by inhibiting PTEN, which may exacerbate the disruption of the skin barrier.