A novel miRNA mimic attenuates organ injury after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion

Introduction: Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP) is a novel mediator of inflammation and tissue injury. It has been shown that miRNA 130b-3p acts as an endogenous inhibitor of eCIRP. Because RNA mimics are unstable after in vivo administration, we have chemically engineered miRNA 130b-3p mimic (named PS-OMe miR130) to improve its stability by protection from nuclease activity. We hypothesize that PS-OMe miR130 reduces eCIRP-mediated injury and inflammation in a murine model of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), a model of sterile inflammation.

Methods: Adult male mice underwent 70% hepatic ischemia for 60 minutes and 24-hour reperfusion. At the start of reperfusion, mice were treated intravenously with vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline) or PS-OMe miR130. Blood and liver tissue were collected after 24 hours for biochemical analysis. Apoptosis in the liver tissue was determined by transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay.

Results: After hepatic I/R, organ injury markers including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase significantly decreased after PS-OMe miR130 treatment. Furthermore, histological analysis of liver sections demonstrated significantly less injury in PS-OMe miR130 treatment mice versus vehicle mice. In addition, tumor necrosis factor α mRNA, interleukin-1β mRNA, and neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase activity and granulocyte receptor 1 immunohistochemistry) were significantly attenuated after PS-OMe miR130 treatment. Finally, apoptosis significantly decreased in liver tissue after treatment.

Conclusion: PS-OMe miR130 decreases eCIRP-mediated injury and inflammation in a murine model of hepatic I/R.