PUBLICATION

miR-146a is Critical for Orchestrating Mycobacterium fortuitum Survival Through Anti-inflammatory and M2 Macrophage Responses in Fish

Authors
Mehta, P., Mazumder, S.
ID
ZDB-PUB-250315-8
Date
2025
Source
Fish & shellfish immunology : 110271110271 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
Immune evasion, Inflammation, M. fortuitum, Macrophages, Zebrafish, miR-146a
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Fish Diseases*/genetics
  • Fish Diseases*/immunology
  • Fish Diseases*/microbiology
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases/genetics
  • Macrophages*/immunology
  • MicroRNAs*/genetics
  • MicroRNAs*/immunology
  • MicroRNAs*/metabolism
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous*/genetics
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous*/immunology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous*/microbiology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous*/veterinary
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum*/physiology
  • Zebrafish*/immunology
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
PubMed
40081436 Full text @ Fish Shellfish Immunol.
Abstract
The significance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in host response to non-tuberculoid mycobacteria like Mycobacterium fortuitum remains nascent. Using zebrafish kidney macrophages (ZFKM), we elucidate a novel function of miR-146a, orchestrated by the TLR-2-PI3K-NF-κB pathway, in M. fortuitum pathogenesis. We demonstrate that miR-146a facilitates anti-inflammatory response by targeting IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 in M. fortuitum-infected ZFKM. Moreover, miR-146a mitigates M1 macrophage activity by suppressing the iNOS-NO axis while enhancing M2-specific TGF-β mRNA expression and subsequent inhibition of M. fortuitum eradication. These findings collectively suggest that miR-146a diminishes macrophage-mediate M. fortuitum clearance. Our study provides novel insights into the intricate interplay between miRNAs and mycobacterial infections. We propose a mechanistic model wherein the TLR-2/NF-κB axis initiates miR-146a expression, which, in turn, suppresses irak-1 and traf-6, fostering the development of M2 macrophages. Consequently, this creates an anti-inflammatory environment conducive to M. fortuitum survival. Our findings provide novel insights into the intricate interplay between miRNAs and mycobacterial persistence, a concerning aspect of pathogenesis.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping