MiR-410 Down-Regulates the Expression of Interleukin-10 by Targeting STAT3 in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background/Aims: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder, in the pathogenesis of which miRNAs play a versatile function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of miRNA-410 on the pathogenesis of SLE in T cells of SLE patients. Methods: Real-time PCR was used to test the mRNA levels of miRNA-410 in SLE patients and healthy controls. ELISA analysis was performed to examine the production levels of IL-10. Luciferase Assay was used to confirm the targeting effect of miRNA-410 on 3'UTR of STAT3 mRNA. Results: We found that the expression level of miR-410 in T cells of SLE patients was decreased comparing to that in healthy controls, whereas overexpression of miR-410 significantly reduced the expression levels of IL-10. Furthermore, miR-410 suppresses the transcription activity of STAT3 by binding directly to the 3 'UTR of STAT3 mRNA. Moreover, silence of STAT3 down regulated IL-10 expression in CD3+ T cells. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that miR-410 is the key regulatory factor in the pathogenesis of SLE by regulating the expression of IL-10 through targeting STAT3. These data suggest a novel function of miR-410 and bring new insight into understanding the complex mechanisms involved in SLE.