miR-296-5p Inhibits the Secretion of Pulmonary Surfactants in Pulmonary Epithelial Cells via the Downregulation of Wnt7b/β-Catenin Signaling

• Main Authors: Ying-Hui Zhang, Ai-Ling Chen, Ren-Qiang Yu, Bei-Bei Jia, Dan-Ni Ye, Min Wang, Ying-Zi Mei, Guang-Dong Fang, Shan-Yu Jiang, Qin Zhou, Bing Zhang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2021-01-01
• Series: BioMed Research International
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/4051504
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is a common disease that occurs in premature infants. However, the mechanisms underlying the disease remain unclear. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been indicated to play a crucial role in the development of NRDS. In this study, we aimed to explore the regulatory mechanisms of miR-296-5p in NRDS. The expression levels of miR-296-5p in preterm infants with NRDS were determined using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A549 cells were transfected with lentiviral vectors encoding miR-296-5p, and the transfection efficiency was determined using RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry and CCK8 assay were performed to measure apoptosis and proliferation of A549 cells, respectively. The protein levels of pulmonary surfactant SP-A (SFTPA1), SP-B, Wnt7b, and β-catenin were measured using western blotting. We demonstrated an upregulation of miR-296-5p in NRDS. The miR-296-5p was successfully overexpressed in A549 cells via lentivirus transfection, and the upregulation of miR-296-5p inhibited cell proliferation and secretion of SP-A and SP-B and also induced downregulation of the Wnt7b/β-catenin in vitro. Therefore, miR-296-5p inhibits cell proliferation and secretion of pulmonary surfactants in A549 cells via downregulation of Wnt7b/β-catenin signaling.