IPF-Fibroblast Erk1/2 Activity Is Independent from microRNA Cluster 17-92 but Can Be Inhibited by Treprostinil through DUSP1

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive terminal lung disease, and therapies aim to block fibrosis. Fibroblast proliferation is controlled by C/EBP-β, microRNA cluster 17-92 (miR17-92), and Erk1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase. This study assessed the role of miR17-92 in IPF-fibroblast proliferation and its modification by treprostinil. Fibroblasts were isolated from eight IPF patients, five interstitial lung fibrosis patients, and seven control lungs. Fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-β1 over 24 h. The miR17-92 expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR, and protein expression by Western blotting. TGF-β1 upregulated C/EBP-β in all fibroblasts, which was reduced by treprostinil in control-fibroblasts, but not in IPF-fibroblasts. Compared to controls, the guide strands miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, miR-20a-5p, and miR-92a-3p, as well as the passenger strands miR-17-3p, miR-18-3p, miR-19a-1-5p, and miR-92a-5p were significantly increased in IPF-fibroblasts. In controls, TGF-β1 and treprostinil significantly reduced specific miR17-92 members. IPF-fibroblast proliferation was inhibited by treprostinil through increased expression of the Erk1/2 inhibitor DUSP1. These data suggest that proliferation control via miR17-92 and C/EBP-β is disrupted in IPF-fibroblasts. Therefore, the inhibition of early stages of signaling cascades or specific mitogen receptors might be less effective. However, the increased proliferation is sensitive to Erk1/2 inhibition by treprostinil-induced DUSP1.