Frontiers in Pharmacology (Oct 2024)

The long non-coding RNA GAS5 contributes to the suppression of inflammatory responses by inhibiting NF-κB activity

  • Debora Curci,
  • Biljana Stankovic,
  • Nikola Kotur,
  • Letizia Pugnetti,
  • Vladimir Gasic,
  • Maurizio Romano,
  • Branka Zukic,
  • Giuliana Decorti,
  • Gabriele Stocco,
  • Gabriele Stocco,
  • Marianna Lucafò,
  • Sonja Pavlovic

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1448136
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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IntroductionNuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a key regulator of immune and inflammatory responses. Glucocorticoid drugs (GC) act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as immunosuppressant also in pediatric patients inhibiting NF-κB activity. The long non-coding RNA GAS5 interacts with the GR, influencing GC activity. No data on the role of GAS5 on GR-dependent inhibition of NF-κB activity have been published.MethodsThis study investigated the impact of GAS5 on NF-κB activity in HeLa cells overexpressing GAS5, both under basal conditions and during GC treatment. The study used EMSA, RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP), Western blotting, and bioinformatic analyses to assess NF-κB DNA binding, GAS5-p65 interaction, and NF-κB signaling pathway modulation.ResultsGAS5 overexpression increased NF-κB DNA binding activity in untreated cells. RNA-IP confirmed a direct interaction between GAS5 and the NF-κB subunit p65, suggesting a potential regulatory mechanism. GAS5 overexpression led to downregulation of NF-κB target genes, TNF-α, and NR3C1. GC treatment reduced NF-κB DNA binding activity in GAS5-overexpressing cells, indicating a potential synergistic effect. Furthermore, GAS5 overexpression increased IκB levels and reduced p-p65/pan-p65 levels during GC treatment.DiscussionGAS5 appears to modulate NF-κB activity in a complex manner, influencing both basal and GC-induced signaling. The interaction between GAS5, GCs, and NF-κB is multi-faceted, and further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms. These findings suggest that GAS5 could be a potential target for personalized therapy, particularly in pediatric patients with inflammatory conditions.

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