Evaluation of miR-146a expression level in macrophages exposed to Candida glabrata

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs with 19-24 nucleotides in length. Up- or down-regulation of many miRNAs has been shown by stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the innate immune system. Up-regulation of miR-146a has been reported by both TLR and heat-killed Candida albicans. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-146a in cultured monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) infected by Candida glabrata at 12, 24, and 48 hours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: miR-146a expression was evaluated by qRT-real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at three time points in C. glabrata-infected MDMs. The data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: miR-146a expression was down-regulated in infected MDMs compared to the control group (P<0.018). The expression of miR-146a was at its highest level at 48 h, as compared to 12 and 24 h (P<0.018) .The differences between the experimental group compared to the control group were statistically significant (P<0.018). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that miR-146a can be involved in regulating macrophage function following TLR stimulation in C. glabrata-infected MDMs.