MicroRNA 16-5p is upregulated in calorie-restricted mice and modulates inflammatory cytokines of macrophages

Abstract Caloric restriction (CR) has long been known to increase median and maximal lifespans and to decrease mortality and morbidity in short-lived animal models, likely by altering fundamental biological processes that regulate aging and longevity. However, the detailed mechanisms of immunomodulation by CR remain unclear. In this study, we established a mouse model for CR and analyzed the changes of immune cells in these mice. The CR mice fed a calorie-restricted diet for 4 weeks had lower body weight and fat mass compared with control mice. The proportions of CD4+, CD8+, and naive CD4+ T cells in spleen cells from CR mice were higher than those in of control mice. Additionally, the proportion of CD8+ T cells was significantly decreased and the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the colon of CR mice was significantly decreased compared with those of control mice. To determine the effect of CR on microRNA (miRNA) expression, serum and tissues were collected from mice and the expression level of miRNA was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. As a result, the expressions of miR-16-5p, miR-196b-5p, and miR-218-5p in serum from CR mice were higher than those in control mice. The expression of miR-16-5p increased in the spleen, thymus, colon, and stomach of CR mice compared with expression in control mice. Furthermore, RAW264 cells transfected with a miR-16-5p mimic significantly decreased the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α under LPS stimulation. These results suggested that miR-16-5p might be a critical factor involving the anti-inflammatory effects of calorie-restricted feeding.