ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) on the production of cytokines in lymphocytes stimulated byPorphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis)lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
MethodsLymphocytes were harvested from mouse spleen and culturedin vitro. The cells were treated withP. gingivalisLPS, miR-146a mimic, or miR-146a inhibitor. Scramble RNA served as the negative control of mimic and inhibitor. The production of inflammatory cytokines was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
ResultsCompared with non-LPS-stimulated group,P. gingivalisLPS could increase the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, receptor activator NF-κB ligand (RANKL), and IL-10 (P<0 .05) and decrease the mrna level of osteoprotectin (opg) (P<0 .05). however, it did not significantly change the secretion of opg. compared with the negative control group, mir-146a mimic upregulated the levels of il-10 and opg (P<0 .05), downregulated il-1β, il-6, and rankl (P<0 .05). meanwhile, mir-146a inhibitor had a reverse effect on these cytokines (P<0 .05) inP.gingivalisLPS-treated-lymphocytes.
ConclusionMiR-146a can provide a suitable microenvironment for bone formation by preventing the inflammatory effects ofP.gingivalisLPS through the inhibition of IL-1β, IL-6, and RNAKL, thereby enhancing IL-10 and OPG.
