MIR99AHG alleviates reflux esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease by downregulating miR-200a-3p

Reflux esophagitis (RE) can progress to severe complications if not diagnosed and treated promptly. MIR99AHG is downregulated in the precursor disease of RE. This study aims to investigate the expression and regulatory mechanisms of MIR99AHG in RE. This study included 176 patients with RE. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MIR99AHG, miR-200a-3p, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 For cellular experiments: cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in cell culture supernatants were assessed using CCK-8 assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, and ELISA, respectively. DLR validated the binding between MIR99AHG and miR-200a-3p. ROC analysis evaluated their diagnostic value. Pearson correlation analysis assessed their relationship. In the RE and cell model groups, MIR99AHG expression was downregulated while miR-200a-3p expression was upregulated. MIR99AHG targeted and bound miR-200a-3p, negatively regulating its expression. Both demonstrated significant diagnostic value. Following modeling with acid salts and bile salts, cellular proliferation capacity decreased, apoptosis rates increased, and inflammatory factor levels rose. Upon overexpression of MIR99AHG, miR-200a-3p expression levels were downregulated, leading to enhanced cellular proliferation capacity, reduced apoptosis rates, and decreased inflammatory factor levels. MIR99AHG represents a promising clinical biomarker in RE. By downregulating miR-200a-3p levels, MIR99AHG may promote proliferation and repair of esophageal mucosal epithelial cells, inhibit excessive apoptosis, and mitigate local inflammatory responses, thereby exerting multifaceted protective effects during RE progression.