LncRNA AK089514/miR-125b-5p/TRAF6 axis mediates macrophage polarization in allergic asthma

BACKGROUND: Micro RNA (miRNA) plays important roles in macrophage polarization. However, the manner in which miRNA regulate macrophage polarization in response to dermatophagoides farinae protein 1(Der f1)-induced asthma has not been defined. This study aims to explore the role of miRNAs in regulating macrophages in asthma. METHODS: The microRNAs which may regulate asthma were selectd by Microarrays. The function of miR-125b-5p in macrophage and Der f1-induced asthma were detected in vivo experiment. The long non coding RNA (lncRNA) AK089514/miR-125b-5p/TRAF6 axis was predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: In this study, we found that miR-125b-5p is highly expressed in M2 macrophages and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells with Der f1-induced asthma. In response to the challenge of Der f1, miR-125b-5p KD attenuated allergic airway inflammation of mice by preventing M2 macrophages polarization. Mechanistic studies indicated that lncRNA AK089514 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-125b-5p, thereby leading to the depression of its endogenous target TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6). CONCLUSIONS: miR-125b-5p is significantly over-expressed in asthma, and AK089514–miR-125b-5p–TRAF6 axis play critical role in asthma by modulating macrophage polarization. Our findings may provide a potential new target for potential therapeutic and diagnostic target in asthma. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-023-02339-1.