A ceRNA axis of lncRNA MSTRG.14394.1/miR-144-3p/NR1H3 responds to diverse bacterial PAMPs in teleost fish

Precise post-transcriptional regulation is essential for balancing antibacterial defense and inflammatory homeostasis in teleost innate immunity. Here, we identified a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) axis involving lncRNA MSTRG.14394.1, miR-144-3p, and the nuclear receptor NR1H3 in Cynoglossus semilaevis. miR-144-3p was markedly induced by bacterial pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and peptidoglycan (PGN), and promoted hepatocyte injury and pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression. Mechanistically, miR-144-3p directly targeted NR1H3 mRNA, whereas MSTRG.14394.1 acted as a ceRNA to sequester miR-144-3p and partially restore NR1H3 mRNA expression. These interactions were supported by luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down assays. In vivo experiments in Danio rerio further showed that modulation of this axis significantly affected host survival following Vibrio anguillarum infection. Collectively, these findings identify a ceRNA-mediated regulatory network that modulates inflammatory responses in teleost fish and provide potential molecular targets for improving disease resistance in aquaculture.