LncRNA H19 facilitates polarization of M1 phenotype macrophages via miR-145-5p/PAI-1 axis in mediating systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

LncRNAs take extensive effects in immune cells to mediate various autoimmune diseases. However, its potential role in development of SLE remains uncertain. We screened out candidate lncRNA in exosomes from SLE patients and the healthy, and was further validated in mouse model by histological examinations in vivo. Additional morphological verification was exploited to validate its biological functions by construction of plasmids in vitro. H19 in serum exosomes of patients was escalated, and could also promote the proliferation and migration of macrophages. Additionally, H19 mainly recruited miR-145-5p and promotes the expression of downstream targeted protein PAI-1. It further promoted the release of SLE-associated proinflammatory factors via Jak2-STAT3 axis, and in turn facilitated the polarization of M1 macrophages. Our study uncovered a potential mechanism of lncRNA H19 in mediating macrophage polarization and leading to the release of proinflammatory factors, providing a new intervention target for treating SLE.