Airway epithelial cell IP-10 production is regulated by miR-31 via the transcription factor IRF-1

In this study, we evaluated IP-10 levels in CF pulmonary epithelial cells and found that IP-10 expression and production were significantly increased in CF tracheal and bronchial epithelial cell lines compared to non-CF controls. The transcription factor IRF-1 has been reported to play a role in the regulation of IP-10 and our recent work has shown that IRF-1 levels are increased in CF pulmonary epithelial cells via dysregulation of the miRNA, miR-31. Knock-down of IRF-1 using siRNA significantly decreased expression and secretion of IP-10 from CF bronchial epithelial cells. In agreement with previous work, overexpression of miR-31 in CF bronchial epithelial cells resulted in a decrease in the levels of IRF-1, which was also associated with a significant decrease in the expression and production of IP-10. These findings suggest that pulmonary epithelial cells may be a potential source of IP-10 in the CF lung via dysregulated miR-31. Further work is required to elucidate the role of elevated IP-10 in the pathogenesis of CF lung disease.
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: 3.2 Airway Cell Biology and Immunopathology Source Type: research