Role of microRNA 146a on the healing of cornea alkali burn treated with mesenchymal stem cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of microRNA 146a (miR146a) on promoting the repair of corneal alkali burn with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into a normal group (Control), a normal MSC treatment group (Normal MSCs), an miR146a knockout MSC treatment group (miR146a-low MSCs) and an miR146a high-expression MSC treatment group (miR146a-high MSCs) according to the random number table. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the expression levels of miR146a. MTT assay was performed to measure the cell viability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of p65 nuclear factor (NF)-κB, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Fas proteins were analyzed by western blotting. MSCs were tested for the secretion levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD45, interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 by ELISA. The miR146a-high MSCs improved cell viability of MSCs and inhibited apoptosis of MSCs following alkali burn. miR146a-high MSCs decreased the expression levels of p65NF-κB and PCNA, and enhanced the expression level of Fas. Furthermore, miR146a-high MSCs improved the cornea opacity and enhanced the inhibition of neovascularization in the rats following alkali burn. miR146a-high MSCs inhibit the expression of VEGF, CD45, IFN-γ, while enhanced the expression of IL-10. Therefore, miR146a promotes the repair of corneal alkali burn in rats treated with MSCs.