Hepatoprotective effect of miRNA-544 against LPS-induced septic mice by inhibiting the IKK/NF-κB signal pathway

Abstract

Aim: To explore the hepatoprotective effects and mechanism of miRNA-544 in septic mice, C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg) and treated with miR-544 inhibitors and mimics. Methods: The aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The expression of proteins (MCP-1, CD16/32 and NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathways) and genes (inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β)were measured by immunohistochemistry, western blot, qRT-PCR and ELISA. Results:The results indicated that miR-544 significantly reduced the level of ALT, AST and TBIL in serum and liver. Meanwhile, miR-544 attenuated the aggravation of inflammation by inhibiting MCP-1 and CD16/32, and suppressed IKK/NF-κB signal pathway by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IKK, IκB and NF-κB, thereby affecting the expression of inflammatory factors. Conclusions: miR-544 can attenuate LPS-induced liver injury in mice with sepsis via inhibiting the IKK/NF-κB signal pathway, and it is a potential candidate marker and therapeutic target for sepsis-induced liver injury.