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To identify potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica, we studied the effects of this disease on the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the lung. Rattus norvegicus pulmonary silicosis models were used in conjunction with high-throughput screening of lung specimens to compare the expression of miRNAs in control and pulmonary silicosis tissues. A total of 70 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between control and pulmonary silicosis tissues. This included 41 miRNAs that were upregulated and 29 that were downregulated relative to controls. Among them, miR-292-5p, miR-155-3p, miR-1193-3p, miR-411-3p, miR-370-3p, and miR-409a-5p were found to be similarly altered in rat lung and transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1-induced cultured fibroblasts. Using miRNA mimics and inhibitors, we found that miR-1193-3p, miR-411-3p, and miR-370-3p exhibited potent anti-fibrotic effects, while miR-292-5p demonstrated profibrotic effects in TGF-b1-stimulated lung fibroblasts. Moreover, we also found that miR-411-3p effectively reduced pulmonary silicosis in the mouse lung by regulating Mrtfa expression, as demonstrated using biochemical and histological assays. In conclusion, our findings indicate that miRNA expression is perturbed in pulmonary silicosis and suggest that therapeutic interventions targeting specific miRNAs might be effective in the treatment of this occupational disease.

No abstract

Silicosis is a fatal profession-related disease linked to longterm inhalation of silica. The present study aimed to determine whether meprin a, a master regulator of anti-fibrotic peptide N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP), is diminished by miR-155-5p in silicotic and control lung macrophages and fibroblasts upon activation. NR8383 macrophages, primary lung fibroblasts, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts were used to evaluate the expression and function of meprin a and miR-155-5p. In vitro meprin a manipulation was performed by recombinant mouse meprin a protein, actinonin (its inhibitor), and small interfering RNA knockdown. Macrophage and fibroblast activation was assessed by western blotting, real-time PCR, matrix deposition, and immunohistochemical staining. The roles of meprin a and miR-155-5p were also investigated in mice exposed to silica. We found that the meprin a level was stably repressed in silicotic rats. In vitro, silica decreased meprin a, and exogenous meprin a reduced activation of macrophages and fibroblasts induced by profibrotic factors. miR-155-5p negatively regulated Mep1a by binding to the 3 0 untranslated region. Treatment with anti-miR-155-5p elevated meprin a, ameliorated macrophage and fibroblast activation, and attenuated lung fibrosis in mice induced by silica. The sustained repression of meprin a and beneficial effects of its rescue by inhibition of miR-155-5p during silicosis indicate that miR-155-5p/ meprin a are two of the major regulators of silicosis.

No abstract