MicroRNA-124 mediates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory action through inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

ABSTRACT: The vagus nerve can control inflammatory response through a 'cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway', which is mediated by the ?7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (?7nAChR) on macrophages. However, the intracellular mechanisms that link ?7nAChR activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production remain not well understood. In this study, we found that miR-124 is upregulated by cholinergic agonists in LPS-exposed cells and mice. Utilizing miR-124 mimic and siRNA knockdown, we demonstrated that miR-124 is a critical mediator for the cholinergic anti-inflammatory action. Furthermore, our data indicated that miR-124 modulates LPS-induced cytokine production by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to decrease IL-6 production and TNF-? converting enzyme (TACE) to reduce TNF-? release. These results also indicate that miR-124 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3817544 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature