The Effect of miR-146a on the Gene Expression of Immunoregulatory Cytokines in Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Mounting evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-146a, have an impact on the immunomodulatory activities of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation is one of the main immunomodulatory mechanisms of MSCs. Here, we investigated whether miR-146a in MSCs might play a role in the effects of MSCs on macrophage activation. A miRNA microarray revealed that miR-146a was the most highly upregulated miRNA in MSCs upon co-culture with activated macrophages. Inhibition of miR-146a in MSCs through miR-146a inhibitor transfection had a different effect on the expression of immunoregulatory factors secreted by MSCs. Pentraxin 3, tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6, and cyclooxygenase-2, which are well-known mediators of the immunomodulatory functions of MSCs, were significantly upregulated in MSCs after miR-146a knockdown. By contrast, hepatocyte growth factor and stanniocalcin 1, other immunoregulatory molecules expressed by MSCs, were downregulated by miR-146a knockdown. Consequently, the inhibition of miR-146a in MSCs did not change the overall effect of MSCs on the suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation or the induction of anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization.