Journal of Translational Medicine (May 2024)

Exosomes regulate SIRT3-related autophagy by delivering miR-421 to regulate macrophage polarization and participate in OSA-related NAFLD

  • Li Yang,
  • Shijie Liu,
  • Yan He,
  • Lulu Gan,
  • Qing Ni,
  • Anni Dai,
  • Changhuan Mu,
  • Qian Liu,
  • Hongyan Chen,
  • Hongying Lu,
  • Ruixue Sun

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05283-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Purpose To analyze the role of and mechanism underlying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-derived exosomes in inducing non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). Methods The role of OSA-derived exosomes was analyzed in inducing hepatocyte fat accumulation in mice models both in vivo and in vitro. Results OSA-derived exosomes caused fat accumulation and macrophage activation in the liver tissue. These exosomes promoted fat accumulation; steatosis was more noticeable in the presence of macrophages. Macrophages could internalize OSA-derived exosomes, which promoted macrophage polarization to the M1 type. Moreover, it inhibited sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and autophagy and promoted the activation of nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich–containing family, pyrin domain–containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes. The use of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) to inhibit autophagy blocked NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inhibited the M1 polarization of macrophages. miR-421 targeting inhibited SIRT3 protein expression in the macrophages. miR-421 was significantly increased in OSA-derived exosomes. Additionally, miR-421 levels were increased in OSA + NAFLD mice- and patient-derived exosomes. In the liver tissues of OSA and OSA + NAFLD mice, miR-421 displayed similar co-localization with the macrophages. Intermittent hypoxia-induced hepatocytes deliver miR-421 to the macrophages via exosomes to inhibit SIRT3, thereby participating in macrophage M1 polarization. After OSA and NAFLD modeling in miR-421−/− mice, liver steatosis and M1 polarization were significantly reduced. Additionally, in the case of miR-421 knockout, the inhibitory effects of OSA-derived exosomes on SIRT3 and autophagy were significantly alleviated. Furthermore, their effects on liver steatosis and macrophage M1 polarization were significantly reduced. Conclusions OSA promotes the delivery of miR-421 from the hepatocytes to macrophages. Additionally, it promotes M1 polarization by regulating the SIRT3/AMPK-autophagy pathway, thereby causing NAFLD.

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