MicroRNA-147 negatively regulates expression of toll-like receptor-7 in rat macrophages and attenuates pristane induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats

MiR-147 inversely regulates the TLR-7 signaling by targeting TLR-7 itself both in vivo and in vitro. The study provides a novel approach for conditions involving abnormal TLR-7 expression in arthritis.

The study confirmed TLR-7 mRNA as the potential target of miR-147 in rats. Alterations in miR-147 by transfecting mimics or inhibitors in ATCC® CRL-2192TM cells exhibited suppression and amelioration of TLR-7 and cytokine expression. The alteration in expression of miR-147 was inversely correlated with expression of TLR-7 during bone marrow derived macrophages induction in PS exposed cells and spleens. The abnormal expression was reversed in spleens of methotrexate treated arthritic rats. The treatment of miR-147 mimic caused suppression in expression of TLR-7 and improved the severity of arthritis in PS induced arthritic rats. Conclusions: MiR-147 inversely regulates the TLR-7 signaling by targeting TLR-7 itself both in vivo and in vitro. The study provides a novel approach for conditions involving abnormal TLR-7 expression in arthritis.