Effect of Jade-Screen Powder on expression of microRNA in mouse model of asthma

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of Jade-Screen Powder (JSP) on regulating expression of 5 microRNAs associated with helper T cells in asthmatic mouse model. Methods Forty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, 10 mice for each group, namely normal control, asthma model, JSP treatment and Dexamethasone treatment.The mouse models of allergic inflammation on both upper and lower airways were established by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge.Interleukin(IL)-13 and IL-17 expressions were detected from lung homogenates by ELISA.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was also performed to observe the pathological changes in the lung tissue.The expressions of miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-210, miR-126 and miR-21a were detected by quantitative real time PCR from splenocytes. Results The lower levels of IL-13 [(6.382±1.690) μg/L] and IL-17 [(24.212±1.250) μg/L] were found in JSP treatment group compared with those in the asthma model group [(20.154±7.960) μg/L; (50.312±5.770) μg/L, rseparately], there was significant difference in IL-13 between JSP group and the asthma model group, as well as IL-17 (t=3.785, P=0.005; t=9.891, P=0.000). Same findings were found in Dexamethasone treated group as well [IL-13: (9.366±3.460) μg/L, IL-17: (29.132±4.960) μg/L; t=2.779, P=0.024; t=6.225, P=0.000]. However, upregulation of miR-210 was observed in JSP treatment group (2.052±0.871) compared with that in the asthma model group (4.034±1.379) (3.95 folds, t=2.718, P=0.026). Meantime, the expression of miR-126 in JSP group (4.920±0.924) and Dexamethasone group (3.862±1.510) increased compared with asthma model group (6.024±0.447) (2.15 folds, t=2.405, P=0.043, and 4.48 folds, t=-3.069, P=0.015). Conclusions Th2 and Th17 T cells participate in the pathogenesis of asthma and the asthmatic process can be inhibited by JSP.JSP may affect the helper T cells by regulating miR-210 and miR-126. Key words: Asthma; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-17; MicroRNA; Jade-Screen Powder