Abstract
Background: This study aimed to explore the function of long noncoding RNA H19 (H19) on pulmonary injury, inflammation and fibrosis in lipoproteins (LPS)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rats. Methods: The LPS-induced ARDS rat model was established by intratracheal instillation with 2 mg/kg LPS. QRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of H19, miR-423-5p, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6,, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Histology score was detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and the concentration of VEGF in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The protein expression of fiber factors was measured by western blot. The degree of fibrosis was observed by masson-trichrome staining. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the binding site between miR-423-5p and H19.Results: The expression of H19 was significantly increased, while miR-423-5p was decreased in LPS-induced ARDS rats. Silencing of H19 decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 and VEGF in LPS-induced ARDS rats, and decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6and the concentration of VEGF in BALF, histology score of LPS-induced ARDS rats. H19 inhibition also decreased the fibrosis score and the proteins expression of fiber factors of LPS-induced ARDS rats. Furthermore, miR-423-5p eliminated the effect of H19 on LPS-induced MH-S cells.Conclusions: Silencing of H19 ameliorated the pulmonary injury, inflammation and fibrosis of LPS-induced ARDS through regulating miR-423-5p, which may be a promising therapeutic strategy to treat ARDS.