MicroRNA-302d targets IRF9 to regulate the IFN-induced gene expression in SLE

Publication date: Available online 17 March 2017
Source:Journal of Autoimmunity
Author(s): Siobhán Smith, Thilini Fernando, Pei Wen Wu, Jane Seo, Joan Ní Gabhann, Olga Piskareva, Eoghan McCarthy, Donough Howard, Paul O'Connell, Richard Conway, Phil Gallagher, Eamonn Molloy, Raymond L. Stallings, Grainne Kearns, Lindsy Forbess, Mariko Ishimori, Swamy Venuturupalli, Daniel Wallace, Michael Weisman, Caroline A. Jefferies
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease targeting multiple organs as a result of overactivation of the type I interferon (IFN) system, a feature currently being targeted by multiple biologic therapies against IFN-α. We have identified an estrogen-regulated microRNA, miR-302d, whose expression is decreased in SLE patient monocytes and identify its target as interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-9, a critical component of the transcriptional complex that regulates expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). In keeping with the reduced expression of miR-302d in SLE patient monocytes, IRF9 levels were increased, as was expression of a number of ISGs including MX1 and OAS1. In vivo evaluation revealed that miR-302d protects against pristane-induced inflammation in mice by targeting IRF9 and hence ISG expression. Importantly, patients with enhanced disease activity have markedly reduced expression of miR-302d and enhanced IRF9 and ISG expression, with miR-302d negatively correlating with IFN score. Together these findings identify miR-302d as a key regulator of type I IFN driven gene expression via its ability to target IRF9 and regulate ISG expression, underscoring the importance of non-coding RNA in regulating the IFN pathway in SLE.



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