miR‑125b‑5p inhibits cell proliferation by targeting ASCT2 and regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in an LPS‑induced intestinal mucosa cell injury model

• Published in: Experimental and therapeutic medicine Vol. 22; no. 2; p. 838
• Main Authors: Guo, Huiming, Gao, Jianyuan, Qian, Yuan, Wang, Huawei, Liu, Jiang, Peng, qingyan, Zhou, Yong, Wang, Kunhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Athens Spandidos Publications 01.08.2021; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd; D.A. Spandidos
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Apoptosis; Cancer; Care and treatment; Carrier proteins; Cell proliferation; Cellular signal transduction; Colorectal diseases; Complications and side effects; Development and progression; Disease; Flow cytometry; Gastrointestinal diseases; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Hepatitis; HIV; HIV infection; Human immunodeficiency virus; Intestinal mucosa; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs; Permeability; Protein kinases; China; Beijing China
• ISSN: 1792-0981; 1792-1015
• DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10270

Intestinal barrier injury is an important cause of death in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Therefore, it is of great significance to identify a therapeutic target for intestinal barrier injury to delay the progression of AIDS. microRNA (miRNA/miR)-125b-5p has an extensive role in cancer and controlling intestinal epithelial barrier function, but its role in human immunodeficiency virus-related intestinal mucosal damage remains unknown. The present study was designed to explore the effects of miR-125b-5p on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal mucosal injury and the underlying mechanism. The expression of miR-125b-5p and ASCT2 mRNA was detected in colon biopsy samples of 10 patients with AIDS and 10 control healthy subjects. Human intestinal embryonic mucosa cells (CCC-HIE-2) were used to establish an LPS-induced intestinal mucosa cell injury model in vitro. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by MTT assays and flow cytometry, respectively. miR-125b-5p levels and ASCT2 mRNA and protein expression levels in the LPS-induced intestinal mucosa cell injury model were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. The interaction between miR-125b-5p and ASCT2 was analyzed using a dual luciferase reporter assay. The results demonstrated that miR-125b-5p levels were increased and ASCT2 mRNA expression levels were decreased in colon samples from patients with AIDS and in LPS-induced intestinal mucosa cells. In the LPS-induced intestinal mucosa cell injury model, transfection with miR-125b-5p mimic inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis, while transfection with a miR-125b-5p inhibitor increased cell proliferation and attenuated cell apoptosis. Furthermore, miR-125b-5p mimic transfection resulted in a decrease of ASCT2 mRNA and protein expression, whereas the inhibitor increased ASCT2 mRNA and protein expression. Dual luciferase reporter assays suggested that ASCT2 was a direct target of miR-125b-5p, and its restoration weakened the effect of miR-125b-5p on LPS-induced intestinal mucosa cell injury. Transfection with the miR-125b-5p mimic also exhibited a suppressive effect on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in the LPS-induced intestinal mucosal cell injury model. Overall, the present study indicated that miR-125b-5p accelerated LPS-induced intestinal mucosa cell injury by targeting ASCT2 and upregulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The current findings may provide novel targets for the treatment of intestinal barrier injury in patients with AIDS.