Background and Purpose
The microRNA miR‐29b‐3p shows important roles in regulating apoptosis and inflammation. However, its effects on intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (II/R) injury have not been reported. Here we have investigated the functions of miR‐29b‐3p on II/R injury on order to find drug targets to treat the injury.
Experimental Approach
Two models ‐ in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) of IEC‐6 cells; in vivo, II/R injury in C57BL/6 mice were used. Western blotting and dual‐luciferase reporter assays were used and mimic and siRNA transfection tests were applied to assess the effects of miR‐29b‐3p on II/R injury via targeting TNF receptor‐associated factor 3 (TRAF3).
Key Results
The H/R procedure decreased cell viability and promoted inflammation and apoptosis in IEC‐6 cells, and the II/R procedure also promoted intestinal inflammation and apoptosis in mice. Expression levels of miR‐29b‐3p were decreased in H/R‐induced cells and II/R‐induced intestinal tissues of mice compared with control group or sham group, which directly targeted TRAF3. Decreased miR‐29b‐3p level markedly increased TRAF3 expression via activating TGF‐α‐activated kinase 1 phosphorylation, increasing NF‐κB (p65) levels to promote inflammation, up‐regulating Bcl2‐associated X expression, and down‐regulating Bcl‐2 expression to trigger apoptosis. In addition, the miR‐29b‐3p mimetic and TRAF3 siRNA in IEC‐6 cells markedly suppressed apoptosis and inflammation to alleviate II/R injury via inhibiting TRAF3 signallimg.
Conclusions and Implications
The miR‐29b‐3p played a critical role in II/R injury, via targeting TRAF3, which should be considered as a significant drug target to treat the disease.