Affiliation:
1. Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
2. Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
3. The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to progressive joint damage. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can regulate the inflammatory response of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and influence the disease progression. Paeoniflorin (PF) is the main active ingredient extracted from Paeonia lactiflora Pallas and is known for its anti-inflammatory effect. This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms by which hsa_circ_009012 and PF regulate the inflammatory response in RA.
Methods
RNA expression of hsa_circ_009012, has-microRNA-1286 (miR-1286), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) or western blotting (WB). Cell inflammation markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were assessed by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence (IF). Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay were utilized to test cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and migration.
Results
Hsa_circ_009012 was highly expressed in RA-FLSs. Hsa_circ_009012 overexpression facilitated the inflammation in RA-FLSs and was closely associated with the miR-1286/TLR4 axis. Paeoniflorin inhibited inflammation and the expression of hsa_circ_009012 and TLR4, while upregulating the expression of miR-1286 in RA-FLSs. Moreover, the upregulation of hsa_circ_009012 reversed the repressive effect of paeoniflorin on RA-FLSs progression.
Conclusion
Paeoniflorin inhibits the inflammation of RA-FLSs via mediating the hsa_circ_009012/miR-1286/TLR4/NLRP3 axis.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC