miR-122-induced down-regulation of HO-1 negatively affects miR-122-mediated suppression of HBV.
As the most abundant liver-specific microRNA (miRNA), miR-122 has been extensively studied for its role in the regulation of lipid metabolism, hepatocarcinogenesis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, but little is known regarding its role in the replication of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a highly prevalent hepatotropic virus that can cause life-threatening complications. In this study we examined the effects of antisense inhibition of miR-122 and transfection of a miR-122 mimic on HBV expression in hepatoma cells. The over-expression of miR-122 inhibited HBV expression, whereas the depletion of endogenous miR-122 resulted in increased production of HBV in transfected cells. We further found that the down-regulation of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by miR-122 plays a negative role in the miR-122-mediated inhibition of viral expression. Our study demonstrates the anti-HBV activity of miR-122, suggesting that therapies that increase miR-122 and HO-1 may be an effective strategy to limit HBV replication.
Qiu
Lipeng
L
CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.
Fan
Hongxia
H
Jin
Wensong
W
Zhao
Bao
B
Wang
Yanzhong
Y
Ju
Ying
Y
Chen
Lizhao
L
Chen
Yu
Y
Duan
Zhongping
Z
Meng
Songdong
S
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics*
C531907:MIRN122 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1