miRNA-148b-3p targeting SOCS3 inhibits macrophage M2 polarization by JAK2/STAT3 pathway in immune thrombocytopenia

Aberrant expression of miRNAs is significantly correlated with the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The immune imbalance of M1/M2 macrophage contributes to the development of ITP. However, the role of miR-148b-3p in macrophage phenotype imbalance remains unknown in ITP. In this study, we aimed to explore whether miR-148b-3p inhibits M2 macrophage polarization in ITP and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Peripheral blood from 22 ITP patients were collected, and real-time PCR confirmed that miR-148b-3p was up-regulated and Western blot analyses detected the expression of SOCS3 was down-regulated. Subsequent dual-luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that miR-148b-3p could bind to SOCS3. Furthermore, we found significant correlation between miR-148b-3p expression and platelet count. Applying gain and lose the function experiments of miR-148b-3p and SOCS3, we demonstrated that suppression of miR-148b-3p or up-regulation of SOCS3 promoted macrophage M2 polarization by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Together, our findings demonstrate that that miR-148b-3p targeting SOCS3 inhibits M2 macrophage polarization via JAK2/STAT3 signaling in ITP.