miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating Autophagy

Objective. Lupus nephritis is the most common and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of miR-20a overexpressing adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation in murine lupus nephritis (LN) and explore potential molecular mechan...

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Main Authors: Shanshan Wei, Zhiwen Zhang, Lu Yan, Yinjuan Mo, Xianwen Qiu, Xiangbin Mi, Kuan Lai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/3746335
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author Shanshan Wei
Zhiwen Zhang
Lu Yan
Yinjuan Mo
Xianwen Qiu
Xiangbin Mi
Kuan Lai
author_facet Shanshan Wei
Zhiwen Zhang
Lu Yan
Yinjuan Mo
Xianwen Qiu
Xiangbin Mi
Kuan Lai
author_sort Shanshan Wei
collection DOAJ
description Objective. Lupus nephritis is the most common and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of miR-20a overexpressing adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation in murine lupus nephritis (LN) and explore potential molecular mechanisms. Methods. Mouse ADSCs were transfected with a miR-20a lentiviral vector to obtain miR-20a overexpression ADSCs (miR-20a-ADSCs). We first observed the influence of miR-20a on ADSC viability and apoptosis in vitro. B6.MRL/lpr mice were administered ADSC/miR-20a-ADSC intravenously every week from age 30 to 33 weeks, and the lupus and normal control groups received PBS on the same schedule. Results. miR-20a expression increased in miR-20a-ADSC-derived exosomes, and miR-20a overexpression promoted ADSC proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Compared with ADSCs, miR-20a-ADSC treatment significantly improved serologic and histologic abnormalities, as evidenced by reduced serum creatinine, anti-dsDNA antibody, 24 h urine protein levels, nephritis scores, and C3/IgG deposits. Furthermore, miR-20a-ADSC treatment resulted in downregulated Akt, mTOR, and p62 expression and upregulated miR-20a, Beclin 1, and LC3 II/I expression compared with ADSC treatment. After treatment with miR-20a-ADSC, a significant increase in the number of autophagosomes within podocytes was observed, along with upregulated expression of podocin and nephrin, compared with the ADSC group. Conclusions. miR-20a-ADSC transplantation prevents the development of lupus nephritis and significantly ameliorates already-established disease, and its mechanism is related to autophagy by targeting the miR-20a-regulated mTOR pathway.
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spelling doaj-art-71a332afa5d14a5bb9be54968d54ede82025-08-20T02:06:32ZengWileyStem Cells International1687-966X1687-96782021-01-01202110.1155/2021/37463353746335miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating AutophagyShanshan Wei0Zhiwen Zhang1Lu Yan2Yinjuan Mo3Xianwen Qiu4Xiangbin Mi5Kuan Lai6Department of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, ChinaObjective. Lupus nephritis is the most common and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of miR-20a overexpressing adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation in murine lupus nephritis (LN) and explore potential molecular mechanisms. Methods. Mouse ADSCs were transfected with a miR-20a lentiviral vector to obtain miR-20a overexpression ADSCs (miR-20a-ADSCs). We first observed the influence of miR-20a on ADSC viability and apoptosis in vitro. B6.MRL/lpr mice were administered ADSC/miR-20a-ADSC intravenously every week from age 30 to 33 weeks, and the lupus and normal control groups received PBS on the same schedule. Results. miR-20a expression increased in miR-20a-ADSC-derived exosomes, and miR-20a overexpression promoted ADSC proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Compared with ADSCs, miR-20a-ADSC treatment significantly improved serologic and histologic abnormalities, as evidenced by reduced serum creatinine, anti-dsDNA antibody, 24 h urine protein levels, nephritis scores, and C3/IgG deposits. Furthermore, miR-20a-ADSC treatment resulted in downregulated Akt, mTOR, and p62 expression and upregulated miR-20a, Beclin 1, and LC3 II/I expression compared with ADSC treatment. After treatment with miR-20a-ADSC, a significant increase in the number of autophagosomes within podocytes was observed, along with upregulated expression of podocin and nephrin, compared with the ADSC group. Conclusions. miR-20a-ADSC transplantation prevents the development of lupus nephritis and significantly ameliorates already-established disease, and its mechanism is related to autophagy by targeting the miR-20a-regulated mTOR pathway.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/3746335
spellingShingle Shanshan Wei
Zhiwen Zhang
Lu Yan
Yinjuan Mo
Xianwen Qiu
Xiangbin Mi
Kuan Lai
miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating Autophagy
Stem Cells International
title miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating Autophagy
title_full miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating Autophagy
title_fullStr miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating Autophagy
title_full_unstemmed miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating Autophagy
title_short miR-20a Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Therapeutic Efficacy in Murine Lupus Nephritis by Regulating Autophagy
title_sort mir 20a overexpression in adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes therapeutic efficacy in murine lupus nephritis by regulating autophagy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/3746335
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