lncRNA GAS5 promotes pyroptosis in COPD by functioning as a ceRNA to regulate the miR‑223‑3p/NLRP3 axis

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible and progressive airflow limitation and encompasses a spectrum of diseases, including chronic obstructive bronchitis and emphysema. Pyroptosis is a unique form of inflammatory cell death mediated by the activation of caspase-1 and inflammasomes. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is a well-documented tumor suppressor, which is associated with cell proliferation and death in various diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether lncRNA GAS5 is associated with the pyroptosis in COPD. To create a COPD cell model, MRC-5 cells were treated with 10 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 48 h. Then the level of pro-caspase 1, caspase 1, IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3 and cleaved gasdermin D (GSDMD) was examined by western blotting. GAS5 mRNA level was detected by qualitative PCR following LPS treatment in MRC-5 cells. Subsequently, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in MRC-5 cells was measured by ELISA. Then the proliferation ability of MRC-5 cells was detected by CCK-8. Cell death was detected by TUNEL assay. LDH release was measured using an LDH Cytotoxicity Assay kit. The Magna RIP kit was used to validate the interaction between GAS5 and miR-223-3p. The present study revealed that increased expression levels of caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and cleaved GSDMD were observed in LPS-treated MRC-5 cells, indicating that pyroptosis is involved in COPD progression. Additionally, LPS induced the increase in GAS5 mRNA expression levels and the release of inflammatory factors (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α), suggesting that GAS5 is implicated in pyroptosis in COPD. Furthermore, upregulation of GAS5 promoted cell death and inhibited proliferation in the MRC-5 cell line. Additionally, increased GAS5 expression significantly promoted the production of caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, cleaved GSDMD and NLR pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3). A dual-luciferase assay demonstrated that GAS5 could directly bind to microRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p), and NLRP3 is a direct target of miR-223-3p. Furthermore, GAS5 reduced the expression levels of miR-223-3p, while it increased the expression levels of NLRP3. The present study concluded that lncRNA GAS5 promoted pyroptosis in COPD by targeting the miR-223-3p/NLRP3 axis, implying that GAS5 could be a potential target for COPD.

LINC00599 influences smoke-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and regulates CSE-induced epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation by targeting miR-212-5p/BASP1 axis

“…22 lncRNA GAS5 promotes pyroptosis in COPD by functioning as a ceRNA to regulate the miR-223-3p/ NLRP3 axis. 23 Many studies have also confirmed the expression profile of lncRNA in the lung tissues of non-smokers and smokers, with or without COPD, 24 which will help to find early biomarkers and treatment targets associated with COPD. 13 Differential gene expression of LINC00599 has been reported in current smokers as compared to former smokers, and up-regulation of LINC00599 was indicated in response to cigarette smoking.…”

“…22 lncRNA GAS5 promotes pyroptosis in COPD by functioning as a ceRNA to regulate the miR-223-3p/NLRP3 axis. 23 Many studies have also confirmed the expression profile of lncRNA in the lung tissues of non-smokers and smokers, with or without COPD, 24 which will help to find early biomarkers and treatment targets associated with COPD. 13…”

Whole Blood Expression Levels of Long Noncoding RNAs: HOTAIRM1, GAS5, MZF1-AS1, and OIP5-AS1 as Biomarkers in Adolescents with Obesity-Related Asthma

“…Furthermore, another study on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by Rubing Mo and collaborators found that LPS induces lncRNA GAS5 expression and release of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. Additionally, the upregulation of GAS5 promoted cell death and inhibited proliferation in the MRC-5 cell line, suggesting that lncRNA GAS5 is related to promoting pyroptosis in that kind of patient [ 22 ]. In this line of information, lncRNA HOTAIRM1 has been described to play a critical role in inflammatory and allergic response; one study led by Lihua Li and collaborators found that HOTAIRM1 are implicated in allergic rhinitis by promoting differentiation of T helper type 9 cells through miR-148a-3p interaction [ 23 ].…”

The regulation of lncRNAs and miRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…In addition, RAD51-AS1 was discovered to be associated with the NF-κB pathway in inflammatory bowel disease (Papoutsopoulou and Campbell, 2021), which could account for the upregulation expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL2. GAS5 targets two crucial cytokines (IL-10 and TNF-α), and the possible mechanisms may be that upregulating GAS5 expression decreases miR-223-3p expression, which increases NLRP3 expression levels and promotes pyroptosis (Mo et al, 2022). GAS5 also downregulates miR-23a-3p levels, which can inhibit the release of inflammatory substrates by inhibiting the TLR4/TNF-α/IL-10 signaling pathway (Gao and Huang, 2021).…”