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Published on: September 20, 2024

Long non-coding RNA IL6-AS1 promotes severe community-acquired pneumonia in children through the miR-149-5p/MAPK6

Chang Liu1, Fanghua Jian2, Jing Li3

  • 1Department of Respiratory, The Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China.

BMC Pediatrics
|June 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Long non-coding RNA IL6-AS1 (lncRNA IL6-AS1) exacerbates severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) by promoting inflammation and cell damage. This lncRNA plays a crucial role in SCAP pathogenesis via the miR-149-5p/MAPK6 pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) poses a significant threat to children's health.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying SCAP is critical for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and regulatory mechanisms of long non-coding RNA IL6-AS1 (lncRNA IL6-AS1) in SCAP.
  • To explore the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of lncRNA IL6-AS1 in pediatric SCAP.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of lncRNA IL6-AS1 expression in 160 children with SCAP and 160 healthy controls.
  • In vitro modeling of SCAP using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human embryonic lung fibroblasts (MRC-5).
  • Quantitative PCR, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, ELISA, RIP, and dual luciferase assays were employed to assess gene expression, cell viability, apoptosis, and molecular interactions.

Main Results:

  • lncRNA IL6-AS1 expression was significantly upregulated in children with SCAP and correlated positively with inflammatory markers (CRP, LDH, PCT).
  • High lncRNA IL6-AS1 expression was associated with reduced survival rates in SCAP patients, indicating its prognostic value.
  • In vitro, lncRNA IL6-AS1 inhibition reduced LPS-induced cell damage, apoptosis, and inflammation.
  • A regulatory axis was identified: lncRNA IL6-AS1 targets miR-149-5p, which in turn targets MAPK6, mediating SCAP progression.

Conclusions:

  • lncRNA IL6-AS1 aggravates SCAP by promoting inflammatory responses and cell damage.
  • The miR-149-5p/MAPK6 axis is a key pathway through which lncRNA IL6-AS1 exerts its detrimental effects in SCAP.
  • lncRNA IL6-AS1 serves as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for SCAP.
Abstract

Keywords:
IL6-AS1MAPK6SCAPmiR-149-5p

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