MicroRNA-125b-5p suppresses Brucella abortus intracellular survival via control of A20 expression

BMC Microbiol. 2016 Jul 29;16(1):171. doi: 10.1186/s12866-016-0788-2.

Abstract

Background: Brucella may establish chronic infection by regulating the expression of miRNAs. However, the role of miRNAs in modulating the intracellular growth of Brucella remains unclear.

Results: In this study, we show that Brucella. abortus infection leads to downregulation of miR-125b-5p in macrophages. We establish that miR-125b-5p targets A20, an inhibitor of the NF-kB activation. Additionally, expression of miR-125b-5p decreases A20 expression in B. abortus-infected macrophages and leads to NF-kB activation and increased production of TNFα. Furthermore, B. abortus survival is attenuated in the presence of miR-125b-5p.

Conclusions: These results uncover a role for miR-125b-5p in the regulation of B. abortus intracellular survival via the control of A20 expression.

Keywords: A20; Brucella abortus; Macrophage; MiR-125.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brucella abortus / genetics*
  • Brucella abortus / growth & development*
  • Brucella abortus / metabolism
  • Brucellosis / microbiology*
  • Cytoplasm / drug effects*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Macrophage Activation
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • NF-kappa B / drug effects
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • RAW 264.7 Cells / microbiology
  • Survival / physiology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3 / drug effects*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3 / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3
  • Tnfaip3 protein, mouse