Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is often linked to a range of respiratory diseases and cellular damage. Although studies have shown that the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) are altered during lung damage brought on by PM2.5, the underlying functions of miRNAs remain poorly understood. In this research, we explored the role of PM2.5-induced apoptosis in detail and focused on the miRNA (miR-212-5p) that regulates apoptosis. Through a dual-luciferase assay, a direct targeting connection between laminin subunits γ2 (LAMC2) and α3 (LAMA3) and miR-212-5p was successfully demonstrated. This study focused on revealing the negative regulatory relationship between miR-212-5p and LAMC2 and LAMA3, providing important clues for a deeper understanding of the relevant physiological and pathological mechanisms. The present study showed that LAMC2 and LAMA3 positively regulate the PI3K-AKT pathway and negatively regulate the NF-κB pathway, which directly leads to significant changes in apoptosis rates. This study reveals a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism by showing that miR-212-5p directly targets LAMC2 and LAMA3 and thus associates with PM2.5-induced apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. These findings not only redefine the role of miR-212-5p in apoptosis but also open up new avenues for future research.