Overexpression of miR-146a-5p Ameliorates Inflammation and Autophagy in TLCs-Induced AR42J Cell Model of Acute Pancreatitis by Inhibiting IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB Pathway.

ABSTRACT

MicroRNA-146a-5p (miR-146a-5p) has been shown to mediate the inflammatory responses and autophagy in many diseases; however, its role in acute pancreatitis (AP) is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression and role of miR-146a-5p in taurolithocholic acid-3-sulphate (TLCs) induced-AR42J cell model of AP. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blot, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), miRNA mimics or vectors or small interfering RNAs transfection and dual-luciferase reporter assay were employed in this study. RESULTS: miR-146a-5p was concentration-dependently decreased; while, interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) were concentration-dependently increased after TLCs treatment. TLCs induced high levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and impaired autophagy characterized as increased of LC3-II/I and decreased expression of p62. Overex-presion of miR-146a-5p and knockdown of IRAK1/TRAF6 inhibited TLCs-induced inflammation and autophagy. Luciferase assay confirmed miR-146a-5p can directly target IRAK1 and TRAF6. The expression of p-NF-κB p65 was increased by TLCs, decreased by miR-146a-5p overexpression and IRAK1/ TRAF6 knockdown but increased after upregulation of IRAK1/TRAF6. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of miR-146a-5p ameliorates inflammation and autophagy in TLCs-treated AR42J cells by inhibiting IRAK1/ TRAF6/NF-κB pathway.