miR-375 ameliorates sepsis by downregulating miR-21 level via inhibiting JAK2-STAT3 signaling

Accumulating evidences have confirmed that miRNAs have important roles in sepsis. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) enhance late sepsis development through immunosuppression in mice. Here, the functions and mechanisms of miR-375 in sepsis were revealed. We found that miR-375 level was downregulated but miR-21 level was upregulated in sepsis patients and that their levels were correlated negatively. Importantly, ectopic expression of miR-375 could decrease the number of sepsis Gr1+CD11b+ MDSCs in mice. Mechanistically, miR-375 could target Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and further impaired signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in sepsis Gr1+CD11b+ MDSC. Gain and loss of function of experiments showed that upregulation or downregulation of miR-375 level could decrease or increase miR-21 level. Moreover, pretreatment of JAK2 overexpressing vector could abolish the effects of miR-375 on miR-21 level and the amount of sepsis Gr1+CD11b+ MDSCs. Therefore, our results demonstrate that miR-375 could block JAK2-STAT3 pathway and thus modulate miR-21 level, which is involved in regulation of late sepsis.