The miR-214-5p/Lactoferrin/miR-224-5p/ADAM17 Axis Is Involved in Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells’ Immune Regulation

Lactoferrin (LF) is believed to be an important active protein in goat milk, which plays an anti-inflammatory role. Although LF has been reported to be associated with body health, its exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of this anti-inflammatory effect of LF in vitro. We first identified that miR-214-5p inhibited the expression of LF mRNA and protein in cells through the 3′UTR of LF mRNA. We next identified the alterations in miRNA following LF overexpression in goat mammary epithelial cells (GEMCs). Overexpression of LF significantly increased (p < 0.05) miR-224-5p expression. We further revealed that transcriptional activation of ADAM17, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was efficiently decreased (p < 0.05) in GMECs treated by miR-224-5p mimic. Conversely, knockdown of miR-224-5p increased (p < 0.05) ADAM17, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression. Additionally, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression levels were dramatically decreased in GMECs after administration of siADAM17. Herein, we indicate that the miR-214-5p/LF/miR-224-5p/ADAM17 axis is involved in the immune regulation of GEMCs.