LncRNA PSCK6-AS1-HIPK2 promotes Th1 differentiation via STAT1 phosphorylation to regulate colitis-related mucosal barrier damage

This work aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PCSK6-AS1 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The levels of PCSK6-AS1 in human samples were detected, and its target protein HIPK2 was explored by protein mass spectrometry and ground select test (GST) method. Meanwhile, the HIPK2-STAT1 interaction relation was verified by pull-down assay. In the mouse model, Dextran Sulfate Sodium（DSS） was used to induce mouse colitis, then the effect of PCSK6-AS1 on mouse mucosal barrier was detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and the proportion of T-helper cells 1（Th1) cells was measured by flow cytometry (FCM). For in-vitro experiments, Th0 cells were used as the objects, and the effect of PCSK6-AS1 on Th1 differentiation was explored by FCM and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to our results, the expression of PCSK6-AS1 in colitis tissues increased. PCSK6-AS1 interacted with HIPK2 to promote the expression of the latter, while HIPK2 promoted STAT1 phosphorylation to regulate Th1 differentiation. Th1 differentiation accelerated the mucosal barrier injury and aggravated the progression of colitis. In the Th0 model, PCSK6-AS1 promoted Th1 differentiation. In the animal model, PCSK6-AS1 enhanced Th1 differentiation in the tissues, decreased the tight junction (TJ) protein levels, and improved the mucosal barrier permeability. Suppressing PCSK6-AS1 and the HIPK2 inhibitor tBID decreased Th1 differentiation and tissue inflammation. According to our results, PCSK6-AS1 promotes Th1 cell differentiation via the HIPK2-STAT1 signaling, thus aggravating the chronic colitis-related mucosal barrier damage and tissue inflammation. PCSK6-AS1 has an important role in the occurrence and development of IBD.