MicroRNA-146a downregulates interleukin-13 and inhibits the proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells.

OBJECTIVE:This study was carried out to investigate the interaction between microRNA-146a and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in periodontitis. DESIGN:The expression levels of microRNA-146a and IL-13 in periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) derived from periodontitis-affected teeth and healthy teeth were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A microRNA-146a mimic was transfected into PDLSCs, and proliferation and IL-13 expression were detected via a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and western blot, respectively. RESULTS:microRNA-146a was downregulated and IL-13 was upregulated in PDLSCs derived from periodontitis-affected teeth compared to that in PDLSCs derived from healthy teeth. microRNA-146a and IL-13 were negatively correlated in periodontitis-derived PDLSCs but not in those derived from healthy teeth. The former also exhibited significantly enhanced cell proliferation. Overexpression of microRNA-146a inhibited proliferation of PDLSCs derived from both periodontitis-affected teeth and healthy teeth while downregulating IL-13. CONCLUSIONS:microRNA-146a may improve periodontitis by downregulating IL-13 and inhibiting the proliferation of human PDLSCs.