MiR-16-5p suppresses myofibroblast activation in systemic sclerosis by inhibiting NOTCH signaling.

ABSTRACT: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a prototypic fibrotic disease characterized by localized or diffuse skin thickening and fibrosis. Tissue fibrosis is driven by myofibroblasts, and factors affecting myofibroblast activation may also be involved in the development of SSc. In this study, we examined molecular mechanisms underlying SSc by focusing on myofibroblast activation processes. Bioinformatics analysis conducted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and genes (DEGs) revealed that microRNA-16-5p (miR-16-5p) was downregulated and NOTCH2 was upregulated in SSc patients. In vitro experiments confirmed that miR-16-5p was able to bind directly to NOTCH2 and inhibit myofibroblast activation. Moreover, miR-16-5p-dependent inhibition of NOTCH2 decreased collagen and α-SMA expressi

SUBMITTER: Yao Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7880343 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature