PU.1-dependent transcriptional regulation of miR-142 contributes to its hematopoietic cell-specific expression and modulation of IL-6

J Immunol. 2013 Apr 15;190(8):4005-13. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1202911. Epub 2013 Mar 15.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs) have emerged as critical modulators of immune responses, but little is known about their transcriptional regulation and tissue specificity. miR-142 is specifically expressed in hematopoietic tissues and plays an important role in regulating immunity. In this study we identified the key transcriptional elements for regulation of miR-142 and its impact on TLR4-mediated expression of IL-6. The PU.1, C/EBPβ, and Runx1 transcription factor binding sites are conserved and constitutively occupied by the respective transcription factors in the miR-142 gene promoter only in the hematopoietic cells. Specific knockdown experiments in hematopoietic cells and rescue experiments in nonhematopoietic cells show that PU.1 is critical for miR-142 gene expression and that it synergizes with Runx1, C/EBPβ, and CBFβ. Furthermore, TLR4 stimulation enhanced miR-155 whereas experiments with knockdown and mimic expression of miR-155 demonstrated that miR-155 negatively regulates miR-142-3p expression by targeting PU.1. Thus, TLR4 stimulation represses PU.1, resulting in downregulation of miR-142 and increased expression of IL-6. These results collectively reveal the direct cis-acting sequences of miR-142 specific promoter and that transcription factor PU.1 is necessary for its exclusive expression in hematopoietic cells and regulation of IL-6.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / physiology
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn142 microRNA, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Trans-Activators
  • proto-oncogene protein Spi-1