MiRNA-126 expression inhibits IL-23R mediated TNF-α or IFN-γ production in fibroblast-like synoviocytes in a mice model of collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis

Both miR-126 and IL-23R affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) procession. This study aimed to investigate the association of miR-126 and IL-23R and the possible modulation of miR-126 to RA pathogenesis. Serum, synovial tissue and synovial fluid were collected from patients with RA, and expression of miR-126, IL-23R, TNF-α and IFN-γ were detected. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) was established using a collagen-induced arthritis mice model. The expression of miR-126 was manual intervened using pro-miR-126 and anti-miR-126 encoding lentivirus plasmids, or miR-126 agonists and corresponding negative controls. MiR-126 expression was inhibited in RA patients when compared with controls (P < 0.05). TNF-α and IFN-γ production and IL-23R expression were significantly upregulated in RA patients when compared to controls (P < 0.05). In pro-miR-126 treated FLS cells, the administration of pro-miR-126 plasmids upregulated miR-126, but inhibited IL-23R, TNF-α and IFN-γ expression or production. Moreover, the miR-126 agonist reversed the effects of the anti-miR-126 plasmid on FLS. These results revealed that miR-126 negative regulated the expression of IL-23R, TNF-α and IFN-γ. These results suggest the key impact of miR-126 on RA procession. Moreover, pro-miR-126 might be explored to be a potential therapy for RA.