miR-23b Negatively Regulates Sepsis-Induced Inflammatory Responses by Targeting ADAM10 in Human THP-1 Monocytes

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated pivotal roles of disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) in the pathogenesis of sepsis. MicroRNA- (miR-) 23b has emerged as an anti-inflammatory factor that prevents multiple autoimmune diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of miR-23b in the regulation of ADAM10 and sepsis remain uncharacterized.

Methods: The expression levels of ADAM10 and miR-23b were detected by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Cytokine production and THP-1 cell Apoptosis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and annexin V Apoptosis assays. Bioinformatics analyses and qRT-PCR, western blot, and luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify ADAM10 as the target gene of miR-23b.

Results: miR-23b expression was downregulated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of sepsis patients and LPS-induced THP-1 cells and was negatively correlated with the expression of ADAM10 and inflammatory cytokines. miR-23b regulated ADAM10 expression by directly binding to the 3'-UTR of ADAM10 mRNA. The overexpression of miR-23b alleviated the LPS-stimulated production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and Apoptosis by targeting ADAM10 in THP-1 cells. The inhibitor or knockdown of ADAM10 elicited effects similar to those of miR-23b on THP-1 cells upon LPS stimulation.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that miR-23b negatively regulated LPS-induced inflammatory responses by targeting ADAM10. The molecular regulatory mechanism of miR-23b in ADAM10 expression and sepsis-induced inflammatory consequences may provide potential therapeutic targets for sepsis.