MicroRNA profiling of colon tissue samples following chronic Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) treatment to chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: The study describes miRNA expression in colon tissue following delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) administration to chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques. To identify the underlying molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effects, we simultaneously profiled miRNA and mRNA expression in colon of chronically simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaques (RMs) administered either vehicle (VEH/SIV; n=9) or Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; THC/SIV; n=8). Relative to controls, differentially expressed miRNAs were ~2 fold higher in VEH/SIV than THC/SIV RMs. Proinflammatory miR-130a, miR-222 and miR-29b, Lipopolysaccharide-responsive miR-146b-5p and SIV-induced miR-190b were significantly upregulated in VEH/SIV RMs. Compared to VEH/SIV RMs, 10 miRNAs were significantly upregulated in THC-SIV RMs, among which miR-204 was confirmed to directly target MMP8, an extracellular matrix-degrading collagenase that was significantly downregulated in THC/SIV RMs. Moreover, THC/SIV RMs failed to upregulate proinflammatory miR-21, miR-141 and miR-222 and alpha/beta defensins, suggesting attenuated intestinal inflammation. Further, THC/SIV RMs showed higher expression of tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-3), anti-inflammatory MUC13, keratin-8 (stress protection), PROM1 (epithelial proliferation) and anti-HIV CCL5. Trichrome mason staining detected significant collagen deposition (fibrosis) in the paracortex and B cell follicular zones of axillary lymph nodes from all VEH/SIV but none of the THC/SIV RMs, thus demonstrating the ability of THC to prevent lymph node fibrosis, a serious irreversible consequence of HIV induced chronic inflammation. Furthermore, using flow cytometry, we showed that THC suppressed intestinal T cell proliferation/activation (Ki67/HLADR) and exhaustion (PD1) and increased the percentages of anti-inflammatory CD163+ macrophages. Finally, while THC did not affect CD4+ T cell levels, it significantly reduced CD8+ T cell percentages in blood at 150 and 180 days post SIV infection. These translational findings strongly support a role for differential miRNA/gene induction and T cell activation in THC-mediated suppression of intestinal inflammation in HIV/SIV and potentially other chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestine.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens Macaca mulatta
PROVIDER: GSE121440 | GEO | 2019/01/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
ACCESS DATA