MicroRNA‐4691‐3p inhibits the inflammatory response by targeting STING in human dental pulp cells: A laboratory investigation

Abstract Aim The regulation of human dental pulp inflammation is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of miR‐4691‐3p on the cGAS–STING signalling cascade and its downstream cytokines production in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). Methodology Normal dental pulp tissue and pulp tissue with irreversible pulpitis from third molars were collected. HDPCs were isolated from pulp tissue. The expression of STING mRNA and miR‐4691‐3p was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. Bioinformatic computation via TargetScanHuman 8.0 and a luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the targets of miR‐4691‐3p. A miR‐4691‐3p mimic and inhibitor were used to upregulate or downregulate miR‐4691‐3p expression in HDPCs. HDPCs were transfected with c‐di‐AMP, c‐di‐GMP, cGAMP, interferon stimulatory DNA (ISD) and bacterial genomic DNA. Immunoblot was performed to detect the phosphorylation of TBK1, p65 and IRF3. Enzyme‐linked immunoassay was performed to detect the cytokines including IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 downstream of cGAS–STING. Results MiR‐4691‐3p expression was increased in human dental pulp tissue with irreversible pulpitis. Treatment of HDPCs using recombinant human IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 also upregulated miR‐4691‐3p. The bioinformatic prediction and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that STING was a direct target of miR‐4691‐3p. The miR‐4691‐3p mimic suppressed STING expression, the phosphorylation of TBK1, p65 and IRF3, and the IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 production. In contrast, the miR‐4691‐3p inhibitor enhanced the STING expression, the phosphorylation of TBK1, p65 and IRF3 and the IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 production. Conclusions MiR‐4691‐3p negatively regulates the cGAS–STING pathway by directly targeting STING. This provides insight to utilize miRNA‐dependent regulatory effect to treat endodontic disease as well as STING‐dependent systemic inflammatory disease.