MiR-30a-3p negatively regulates BAFF synthesis in systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis fibroblasts

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 31;9(10):e111266. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111266. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

We evaluated micro (mi) RNA-mediated regulation of BAFF expression in fibroblasts using two concomitant models: (i) synovial fibroblasts (FLS) isolated from healthy controls (N) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients; (ii) human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) isolated from healthy controls (N) or Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) patients. Using RT-qPCR and ELISA, we first showed that SScHDF synthesized and released BAFF in response to Poly(I:C) or IFN-γ treatment, as previously observed in RAFLS, whereas NHDF released BAFF preferentially in response to IFN-γ. Next, we demonstrated that miR-30a-3p expression was down regulated in RAFLS and SScHDF stimulated with Poly(I:C) or IFN-γ. Moreover, we demonstrated that transfecting miR-30a-3p mimic in Poly(I:C)- and IFN-γ-activated RAFLS and SScHDF showed a strong decrease on BAFF synthesis and release and thus B cells survival in our model. Interestingly, FLS and HDF isolated from healthy subjects express higher levels of miR-30a-3p and lower levels of BAFF than RAFLS and SScHDF. Transfection of miR-30a-3p antisense in Poly(I:C)- and IFN-γ-activated NFLS and NHDF upregulated BAFF secretion, confirming that this microRNA is a basal repressors of BAFF expression in cells from healthy donors. Our data suggest a critical role of miR-30a-3p in the regulation of BAFF expression, which could have a major impact in the regulation of the autoimmune responses occurring in RA and SSc.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / genetics*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology*
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / biosynthesis*
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / genetics
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / genetics*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / immunology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / pathology*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • MIRN30b microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Poly I-C

Grants and funding

Prof. Jean Sibilia's work was supported by grants from Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Pfizer, Courtin Foundation and CAMPLP. Sébastien Pfeffer's work was supported by the European Research Council (ERC-StG-260767) and Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (labex netRNA, ANR-10-LABX-36). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.