Salvia-Nelumbinis Naturalis Formula Improved Inflammation in LPS Stressed Macrophages via Upregulating MicroRNA-152

Abstract

Salvia-Nelumbinis naturalis (SNN) formula is an effective agent in treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, the precise mechanisms are still undefined. Activation of Kupffer cells by gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of NASH. In the present study, we aimed to explore the epigenetic regulation of microRNAs under the beneficial effects of SNN-containing serum in LPS stressed macrophages. Kupffer cells were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and treated with LPS or LPS and SNN-Containing serum; the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-Agr; (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was assessed. By using microarray chips, we investigated differentially expressed microRNA profiles to decipher the underlining mechanisms of SNN-Containing serum. It was revealed that SNN-Containing serum decreased TNF-Agr; and IL-6 expression, and microRNA-152 was identified as the potential epigenetic regulator. We further verified the pharmacological effects in Raw264.7 cells; while transfection with miRNA-152 mimics could reduce TNF-Agr; and IL-6, transfection with miRNA-152 inhibitor blocked the anti-Inflammatory effect of SNN-containing serum. These results suggested that SNN-Containing serum could improve inflammation in LPS stressed Kupffer cells and macrophages via upregulating microRNA-152.