外泌体miR-142-3p通过Axl对异位子宫内膜间质细胞免疫微环境的影响

奴日曼古力艾山江, 刘雁林, 易金玲

【作者机构】 新疆医科大学第五附属医院妇科
【分 类 号】 R711.71
【基    金】 新疆维吾尔自治区自然科学基金项目(2024D01C160)。
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外泌体miR-142-3p通过Axl对异位子宫内膜间质细胞免疫微环境的影响

外泌体miR-142-3p通过Axl对异位子宫内膜间质细胞免疫微环境的影响

奴日曼古力·艾山江 刘雁林 易金玲

新疆医科大学第五附属医院妇科,新疆乌鲁木齐 830011

[摘要] 目的 探究外泌体miR-142-3p通过受体酪氨酸激酶Axl对异位子宫内膜间质细胞(HEcESCs)免疫微环境的影响。 方法 收集培养正常子宫内膜间质细胞(HEnESCs)和子宫内膜内异位症(EMs)HEcESCs,采用外泌体提取试剂盒提取外泌体并鉴定外泌体,纳米颗粒跟踪分析计算纳米颗粒的流体力学半径和浓度,得到外泌体粒径分布。Western blot法鉴定外泌体特异性标志物CD63,RT-qPCR法检测HEnESCs外泌体和HEcESCs外泌体中miR-142-3p表达量及HEnESCs和HEcESCs中miR-142-3p、Axl mRNA表达量。双荧光素酶实验验证Axl与miR-142-3p靶基因的关系。外泌体与巨噬细胞共培养,分为Blank组(Mφ巨噬细胞不进行共培养)、HEnESCs外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与HEnESCs外泌体共培养)、HEcESCs外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与HEcESCs外泌体共培养)、miR-NC外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与转染mimics NC的HEcESCs外泌体共培养)、miR-142-3p外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与转染miR-142-3p mimics的HEcESCs外泌体共培养)。采用激光共聚焦显微镜观察巨噬细胞对外泌体的摄取,采用流式细胞术和酶联免疫吸附试验法检测外泌体miR-142-3p调控巨噬细胞M1/M2极化的差异;采用RT-qPCR法和Western blot法检测外泌体miR-142-3p调控Axl表达影响巨噬细胞M1/M2极化的差异。 结果 纳米颗粒跟踪分析检测结果显示HEnESCs和HEcESCs细胞外泌体粒径主要分布在100~200 nm。Western blot结果显示HEnESCs外泌体组、HEcESCs外泌体组的外泌体均相对高表达特异性标志物CD63。RT-qPCR结果显示,与HEnESCs外泌体组比较,HEcESCs外泌体组中miR-142-3p表达量下降(P<0.05)。双荧光素酶报告基因结果显示Axl是miR-142-3p的靶基因。RT-qPCR结果显示,与HEnESCs组比较,在HEcESCs组Axl mRNA表达量升高,miR-142-3p表达量下降(P<0.05)。各组外泌体均可被巨噬细胞所吞噬。与Blank组比较,HEnESCs外泌体组CD86、iNOS表达水平升高,CD206、Arg1表达水平降低(P<0.05),而HEcESCs外泌体组CD206表达水平降低(P<0.05),CD86、CD206、Arg1表达水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与HEnESCs外泌体组比较,HEcESCs外泌体组CD86、iNOS表达水平降低,CD206、Arg1表达水平升高(P<0.05);与miR-NC外泌体组比较,miR-142-3p外泌体组CD86、iNOS表达水平升高,CD206、Arg1表达水平降低(P<0.05)。HEcESCs外泌体组与miR-NC外泌体组CD86、iNOS、CD206、Arg1表达水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。与Blank组比较,HEnESCs外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量升高,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05),而HEcESCs外泌体组Axl蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05),miR-142-3p和Axl mRNA表达量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与HEnESCs外泌体组比较,HEcESCs外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量降低,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平升高(P<0.05);与miR-NC外泌体组比较,miR-142-3p外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量升高,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05)。HEcESCs外泌体组与miR-NC外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论 miR-142-3p在HEcESCs中低表达,可通过外泌体下调Axl抑制巨噬细胞向M2极化,促进其向M1极化,恢复免疫监视,外泌体miR-142-3p可成为EMs潜在治疗靶点。

[关键词] 子宫内膜异位症;异位子宫内膜间质细胞;外泌体miR-142-3p;Axl;巨噬细胞极化

子宫内膜异位症(endometriosis,EMs)是一种雌激素依赖性慢性全身炎症性疾病,其发病机制尚不明确[1]。免疫微环境中巨噬细胞的极化失衡、功能异常是EMs发生、发展的重要促进因素[2]。有研究发现受体酪氨酸激酶Axl高表达与免疫抑制性肿瘤微环境相关,可促进肿瘤相关巨噬细胞极化,介导免疫逃逸反应,促进肿瘤细胞生长[3-5]。前期研究证明Axl在EMs中表达显著上调并参与EMs的发生[6]。然而,Axl是否影响EMs免疫微环境尚不清楚,且查询miRWalk数据库(http://mirwalk.umm.uni-heidelberg.de/)发现Axl与miR-142-3p有预测结合位点,故本研究旨在探究Axl与miR-142-3p在EMs中对巨噬细胞极化、免疫微环境重塑的可能机制。

1 资料与方法

1.1 一般资料

选取2024年1月至6月就诊于新疆医科大学第五附属医院的5例经腹腔镜手术行病理检查后明确诊断为Ⅲ~Ⅳ期卵巢EMs患者的异位内膜组织,另于同期在新疆医科大学第五附属医院就诊的常规健康者中,选取5例在月经周期增殖期行宫腔镜检查且明确排除EMs者,收集其正常子宫内膜组织作为对照研究样本。按照先前的研究方法,培养正常子宫内膜间质细胞(human normal endometrial stromal cells,HEnESCs)和异位子宫内膜间质细胞(human ectopic endometrial stromal cells,HEcESCs)[6]。通过免疫细胞化学检测抗角蛋白抗体和抗波形蛋白抗体来评估细胞纯度,取3~5代细胞用于研究。纳入标准:①25~45岁女性;②体质量指数18.5~24.0 kg/m2;③月经周期规律(27~35 d)。排除标准:①妊娠期及绝经后妇女;②合并严重内科疾病、免疫系统疾病、恶性肿瘤等;③合并精神疾病;④合并急性生殖道感染或慢性盆腔炎等炎症性疾病;⑤入院前6个月内曾使用激素类药物或促性腺激素释放激素激动剂治疗、有手术治疗史等;⑥不能配合病例收集过程和随访过程。研究方案经新疆医科大学第五附属医院伦理委员会批准(XYDWFYLSk-2024-93),所有研究对象均签署知情同意书。

1.2 主要试剂与仪器

人单核细胞(THP-1)、293T人胚肾细胞株购自武汉普诺赛生物科技有限公司;DiI细胞标记液、BlockiT™ Alexa FluorTM红色荧光标记试剂、lipofectamin RNAiMAX(货号:V22885、14750-100、13778-150,赛默飞世尔科技有限公司);佛波酯(货号:P8139,美国sigma公司);exoEasy Maxi Kit(货号:76064,德国凯杰公司);β-actin(货号:100166-MM10,北京义翘神州科技股份有限公司);兔抗CD63抗体(货号:PB9250,美国博士德生物工程有限公司);兔抗Axl抗体(货号:AF7793,江苏亲科生物研究中心有限公司);辣根过氧化物酶标记山羊抗兔IgG(H+L)、辣根过氧化物酶标记山羊抗小鼠IgG(H+L)(货号:ab205718、ab205719,英国Abcam公司);BCA试剂盒(货号:DQ111-01,北京全式金生物技术有限公司);miR-142-3p mimics、Mimics NC(苏州吉玛基因股份有限公司);Axl野生型编码序列(Axl-WT)质粒、Axl突变型编码序列(Axl-MUT)质粒(生物通用股份有限公司);PE标记抗人CD86单克隆抗体[BU63]、APC抗人CD206抗体[15.2]、Arg1酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测试剂盒、iNOS ELISA检测试剂盒(货号:E-AB-F1012D、E-AB-F1161E、EL-H0497c、EL-H0753c,武汉伊莱瑞特生物科技股份有限公司);化学发光成像仪系统(型号:Chemiscope 3000,上海勤翔科学仪器有限公司);实时荧光定量PCR仪(型号:7500 Fast,美国ABI公司)。

1.3 外泌体的分离和鉴定

采用外泌体提取试剂盒(exoEasy Maxi Kit,货号:76064,德国凯杰公司)提取外泌体。分别收集HE-nESCs和HEcESCs细胞上清,经0.22 µm滤膜过滤后过加入等体积的XBP缓冲液,颠倒混匀5次,转移到exoEasy自旋柱离心管中,500×g,离心3 min,弃废液,静置5 min,500×g,离心3 min。加入10 ml XWP,2 810×g,离心7 min,将自旋柱转移到新的收集管上,加入600 µl XE到膜上,孵育3 min,500×g,离心5 min,收集洗脱液,将洗脱液重新加入自旋柱膜,再次孵育3 min,2 810×g,离心8 min,离心半径为10 cm,所得即为外泌体。BCA浓度测定后保存于-80 ℃备用。使用纳米颗粒跟踪分析技术(NTA2.3)分析软件进行数据分析,计算纳米颗粒的流体力学半径和浓度,得到外泌体粒径分布。Western blot法鉴定外泌体特异性标志物CD63。各实验每组重复3次。将符合要求的HEnESCs外泌体和HEcESCs外泌体采用RT-qPCR法检测中miR-142-3p表达量,在装有外泌体的离心管中加入1 ml Trizol,混匀,室温放置15 min以上,余步骤同“1.9”。

1.4 双荧光素酶报告基因实验

根据miRwalk数据库(http://mirwalk.umm.uniheidelberg.de/)预测miR-142-3p与Axl-WT与Axl-MUT的潜在结合序列,构建Axl-WT、Axl-MUT质粒。将293T细胞以5×104个/孔细胞接种于24孔板,并将Axl-WT、Axl-MUT分别与miR-142-3p mimics、mimics NC共转染293T细胞,每组3个重复,培养48 h后裂解细胞,使用荧光素酶检测试剂盒测定其荧光强度。

1.5 巨噬细胞的培养和分组

用100 ng/ml佛波酯诱导THP-1 24 h分化为Mφ型巨噬细胞。使用lipofectamin RNAiMAX将miR-142-3p mimics、mimics NC转染至HEcESCs。分别提取HEnESCs外泌体、HEcESCs外泌体及分别转染miR-142-3p mimics、mimics NC的HEcESCs外泌体,并将所得外泌体(50 µg/ml)与Mφ巨噬细胞共培养24 h,分为Blank组(Mφ巨噬细胞不进行共培养)、HE-nESCs外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与HEnESCs外泌体共培养)、HEcESCs外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与HEcESCs外泌体共培养)、miR-NC外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与转染mimics NC的HEcESCs外泌体共培养)、miR-142-3p外泌体组(Mφ巨噬细胞与转染miR-142-3p mimics的HEcESCs外泌体共培养)。

1.6 激光共聚焦显微镜观察巨噬细胞对外泌体的摄取

使用CM-Dil dye(1.5 µg/ml,1 h)对“1.5”项下分组的外泌体(50 µg/ml)进行荧光标记后加入Mφ巨噬细胞中,在37 ℃下孵育4 h,PBS洗2遍,加入1 µg/ml DAPI,室温避光孵育5 min,PBS洗涤3次,每次2 min;50%甘油封片,每组3个生物学重复,每次选取3个视野,激光共聚焦显微镜观察拍照。

1.7 流式细胞术

按“1.5”项下分组培养,每组设3个复孔,用PBS将各组巨噬细胞洗两遍,弃上清,100 µl预冷的PBS重悬细胞,加入CD86-PE、CD206-APC各5 µl,4 ℃避光孵育30 min,500 µl预冷的PBS重悬细胞,300×g离心5 min,弃上清,500 µl PBS重悬细胞,使用流式细胞仪分别检测CD86、CD206的相对表达量。

1.8 ELISA法

收集“1.5”项下分组中的巨噬细胞上清液,根据Arg1、iNOS的ELISA检测试剂盒说明书进行后续操作,终止反应并在450 nm处读取平板。根据标准浓度和光密度值绘制标准曲线,计算待测样品的浓度。

1.9 RT-qPCR法

采用Trizol法提取RNA,检测RNA浓度,反转录成cDNA,采用2X miRNA SYBR Green qPCR Mix进行RT-qPCR反应,反应体系:10 µl 2X miRNA SYBR Green qPCR Mix,正反向引物各0.5 µl,cDNA为2 µl,总体积为20 µl。循环条件:95 ℃(mRNA为15 s,miRNA为10 s),60 ℃(mRNA为1 min,miRNA为30 s),共40个循环。每组设置3个复孔。Axl正向引物:5’- GAGGGAGAGTTTGGAGCTGT-3’,反向引物:5’- GAAACAGACACCGATGAGCC-3’;miR-142-3p正向引物:5’-CGCAGTGTAGTGTTTCCT-3’,反向引物:5’- GGTCCAGTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTCCA-3’;GAPDH正向引物:5’-TGTTGCCATCAATGACCCCTT-3’,反向引物:5’-TGTTGCCATCAATGACCCCTT-3’。使用2-△△Ct法计算相对表达量。采用该方法检测HEnESCs与HEcESCs中miR-142-3p及Axl的表达,明确二者在上述细胞中的表达关系,进而判断外泌体中miR-142-3p的表达异常是否源于细胞本身;同时检测“1.5”项下各组巨噬细胞中miR-142-3p和Axl的表达,以明确EMs源性外泌体miR-142-3p是否通过Axl影响巨噬细胞极化。

1.10 Western blot法

用4 ℃预冷的PBS洗涤板中细胞3次,加入含有蛋白酶抑制剂的RIPA于冰上裂解30 min,4 ℃、12 000 r/min离心20 min,离心半径为8.7 cm,取上清,BCA试剂盒测定蛋白浓度后,每组设3个复孔,进行SDS-PAGE电泳分离转膜至PVDF膜上,5%脱脂奶粉封闭1 h,分别加一抗(β-actin、兔抗CD63抗体、兔抗Axl抗体)后置于4 ℃摇床过夜孵育,经TBST洗涤3次,5 min/次。加入二抗[辣根过氧化物酶标记山羊抗小鼠IgG(H+L)为β-actin的二抗,稀释比例为1∶10 000;辣根过氧化物酶标记山羊抗兔IgG(H+L)为Axl和CD63的二抗,稀释比例为1∶5 000]孵育1~2 h,TBST清洗后,使用ECL发光试剂盒曝光,拍照。使用ImageJ软件分析蛋白条带灰度值。

1.11 统计学方法

采用SPSS 27.0统计学软件进行数据分析,使用GraphPad Prism 10.4.1进行绘图。计量资料采用均数±标准差()表示,多组间比较采用单因素方差分析,两组间比较采用两独立样本t检验。以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。

2 结果

2.1 HEnESCs和HEcESCs外泌体特性与miR-142-3p表 达水平

NTA2.3检测结果显示,HEnESCs和HEcESCs细胞外泌体粒径主要分布在100~200 nm。Western blot法检测结果显示,与HEnESCs组和HEcESCs组分别比较,HEnESCs外泌体组、HEcESCs外泌体组的外泌体均相对高表达特异性标志物CD63(P<0.05)。RT-qPCR法检测结果显示,与HEnESCs外泌体组比较,HEcESCs外泌体组中miR-142-3p表达量下降(P<0.05)。见图1。

图1 HEnESCs和HEcESCs外泌体特性与miR-142-3p表达水平(n=5)

2.2 Axl作为miR-142-3p靶基因的验证

双荧光素酶报告基因实验结果显示,与mimic NC比较,miR-142-3p可以明显抑制Axl-WT的荧光素酶活性(P<0.05),而Axl-MUT的荧光素酶则无明显改变(P>0.05)。结果提示Axl是miR-142-3p的靶基因。见图2。

图2 Axl作为miR-142-3p靶基因的验证(n=3)

2.3 Axl mRNA和miR-142-3p在HEnESCs和HEcESCs中的表达水平比较

RT-qPCR法检测结果显示,与HEnESCs组比较,在HEcESCs组Axl mRNA表达量升高,miR-142-3p表达量下降(P<0.05)。miR-142-3p表达缺失可能导致Axl异常高表达,同时也提示外泌体中miR-142-3p的表达量下降来源于细胞自身。见图3。

图3 Axl mRNA、miR-142-3p在HEnESCs组、HEcESCs组子宫内膜间质细胞中的表达水平比较(n=5)

2.4 外泌体miR-142-3p调控巨噬细胞M1/M2极化

在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察各组巨噬细胞对外泌体的吞噬,发现各组外泌体形成的橙红色荧光信号均匀分布在细胞核的蓝色荧光信号周围,提示各组外泌体均可被巨噬细胞吞噬,但各组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。见图4A。

图4 外泌体miR-142-3p调控巨噬细胞M1/M2极化

与Blank组比较,HEnESCs外泌体组CD86、iNOS表达水平升高,CD206、Arg1表达水平降低(P<0.05),而HEcESCs外泌体组CD206表达水平降低(P<0.05),CD86、CD206、Arg1表达水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与HEnESCs外泌体组比较,HEcESCs外泌体组CD86、iNOS表达水平降低,CD206、Arg1表达水平升高(P<0.05);与miR-NC外泌体组比较,miR-142-3p外泌体组CD86、iNOS表达水平升高,CD206、Arg1表达水平降低(P<0.05)。HEcESCs外泌体组与miR-NC外泌体组CD86、iNOS、CD206、Arg1比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。见图4B~F。

2.5 外泌体miR-142-3p调控Axl表达影响巨噬细胞M1/M2极化

与Blank组比较,HEnESCs外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量升高,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05),而HEcESCs外泌体组Axl蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05),miR-142-3p和Axl mRNA的表达量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与HEnESCs外泌体组比较,HEcESCs外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量降低,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平升高(P<0.05);与miR-NC外泌体组比较,miR-142-3p外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量升高,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05)。HEcESCs外泌体组与miR-NC外泌体组miR-142-3p表达量,Axl mRNA表达量、Axl蛋白表达水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。见图5。

图5 外泌体miR-142-3p调控Axl表达影响巨噬细胞M1/M2极化(n=5)

3 讨论

EMs是一种雌激素依赖的慢性炎症性疾病,与恶性肿瘤具有相似的生物学特征,其发病机制涉及免疫微环境失衡、细胞异常增殖与侵袭、黏附等多种病理改变[7-8]。子宫内膜间质细胞是EMs病灶的主要组成细胞,也是EMs外泌体的重要来源[9]。有研究报道miR-142-3p在异位子宫内膜组织中表达显著降低,可通过靶向Krüppel样因子9调控血管内皮生长因子A的表达,进而抑制细胞增殖、迁移和血管生成,对EMs疾病进展具有保护作用[10]。Börschel等[11]研究进一步证实,miR-142-3p过表达可显著减小子宫内膜间质细胞的体积和血管蛋白斑块大小,抑制细胞迁移和收缩能力,从而减弱侵袭性表型。本研究成功分离并鉴定了HEnESCs和HEcESCs来源的外泌体,发现HEcESCs外泌体中miR-142-3p的表达水平显著低于HEnESCs外泌体,提示外泌体可反映供体细胞的微RNA(microRNA,miRNA)表达特征。激光共聚焦显微镜观察证实各组外泌体均可被巨噬细胞有效吞噬且组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),为外泌体介导的细胞间通讯提供了直接证据。

Axl在细胞存活、增殖、迁移及免疫调节中发挥关键作用[12]。前期研究证实Axl和哺乳动物mTOR基因在HEcESCs中高度表达,Axl通过介导PI3K/Akt信号通路参与HEcESCs的活化与增殖,mTOR通过PI3K/Akt信号通路以外的其他机制与Axl共同参与EMs的发生,调控Axl、mTOR可促进异位子宫内膜间质细胞凋亡[6]

生物信息学分析预测Axl mRNA的CD区域存在miR-142-3p的潜在结合位点。本研究通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验证实了Axl是miR-142-3p的直接靶基因,miR-142-3p可靶向抑制Axl的表达。结果发现HEcESCs中miR-142-3p表达水平显著低于HEnESCs,且其表达下调与Axl的异常高表达呈负相关,这提示在EMs中,miR-142-3p的表达下调导致其对Axl的抑制作用减弱,从而引起Axl的异常高表达,促进EMs的发生和发展。

有学者认为Axl的过度激活可通过多种下游信号通路促进细胞增殖、抑制凋亡,并参与免疫微环境的重塑[13]。巨噬细胞作为固有免疫系统的核心效应细胞,在EMs的发生和发展中发挥关键作用[14]。正常情况下M1型巨噬细胞通过分泌促炎因子和活性氧分子发挥抗病原体和抗肿瘤作用,而M2型巨噬细胞则通过抗炎反应和组织修复维持内环境稳态[15-16]。在EMs病理状态下,M1/M2极化状态被打破,导致免疫监视功能受损和疾病进展[17]。已有研究证实,M1型巨噬细胞具有抗EMs作用,调节腹腔巨噬细胞表型使M1/M2平衡向M1偏移,可显著减少异位病灶的数量和大小[18]。文献报道Axl可通过PI3K/Akt通路改变巨噬细胞基因转录,抑制巨噬细胞向M1极化,促进M2极化[3]。Phi等[19]研究表明,Axl通过调节M2型巨噬细胞极化从而促进炎症性乳腺癌的进展。本研究结果显示HEnESCs外泌体处理可显著促进巨噬细胞向M1型极化,表现为CD86和iNOS表达升高、CD206和Arg1表达降低,同时伴随Axl mRNA和蛋白表达的下调。相反,HEcESCs外泌体处理则促进M2型极化,且Axl表达升高。然而,过表达miR-142-3p可成功逆转这一极化趋势:miR-142-3p外泌体组巨噬细胞重新向M1型极化,同时Axl表达显著降低。这一结果与miR-NC外泌体组和HEcESCs外泌体组之间Axl表达无显著差异的观察相互印证。从机制层面分析,Axl作为免疫抑制微环境形成的关键分子,其高表达可促进M2型巨噬细胞极化[19-20]。miR-142-3p通过靶向抑制Axl,解除Axl介导的M2极化信号。本研究结果亦提示miR-142-3p在HEcESCs中低表达,可通过外泌体下调Axl抑制巨噬细胞向M2极化,促进其向M1极化,恢复巨噬细胞的促炎表型和免疫监视功能,从而外泌体miR-142-3p可成为EMs潜在治疗靶点。

本研究发现,异位子宫内膜间质细胞通过外泌体传递miR-142-3p,抑制Axl表达,进而促进M1型巨噬细胞极化。该机制为理解EMs免疫微环境重塑提供了新的理论视角,也提示外源性补充miR-142-3p或抑制Axl活性有望成为恢复免疫监视、抑制病灶进展的潜在治疗靶点。然而,本研究样本量较小且缺乏体内实验验证,后续需扩大样本量并开展动物模型研究,以更全面地揭示EMs发病机制。

利益冲突声明:本文所有作者均声明不存在利益冲突。

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Effect of miR-142-3p on the immune microenvironment of ectopic endometrial stromal cells through Axl

Nurimanguli Aishanjiang LIU Yanlin YI Jinling

Department of Gynecology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830011, China

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the effect of exosomal miR-142-3p, through the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl, on the immune microenvironment of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (HEcESCs). Methods Normal endometrial stromal cells (HEnESCs) and HEcESCs derived from endometriosis (EMs) were collected and cultured. Exosomes were extracted using the exosome extraction kit and identified. Nanoparticle tracking analysis calculated the hydrodynamic radius and concentration of nanoparticles, and thereby obtained the particle size distribution of exosomes. The Western blot was used to identify the specific marker CD63 of exosomes, and the RT-qPCR method was employed to detect the expression levels of miR-142-3p in exosomes of HEnESCs and HEcESCs, as well as the expression levels of miR-142-3p and Axl mRNA in HEnESCs and HEcESCs. The dual-luciferase assay was used to verify the relationship between Axl and the target gene of miR-142-3p. Exosomes were co-cultured with macrophages, and were divided into Blank group (where Mφ macrophages were not co-cultured), HEnESCs exosome group (where Mφ macrophages were co-cultured with HE-nESCs exosomes), HEcESCs exosome group (where Mφ macrophages were co-cultured with HEcESCs exosomes), miR-NC exosome group (where Mφ macrophages were co-cultured with HEcESCs exosomes transfected withmimics NC), and miR-142-3p exosome group (where Mφ macrophages were co-cultured with HEcESCs exosomes transfected with miR-142-3p mimics). The uptake of exosomes by macrophages was observed using a laser confocal microscope. The differences in the polarization of macrophages M1/M2 induced by exosomal miR-142-3p were detected by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The differences in the polarization of macrophages M1/M2 regulated by exosomal miR-142-3p on Axl expression were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results The results of nanoparticle tracking analysis showed that the particle sizes of exosomes of HEnESCs and HEcESCs had diameters ranging from 100 to 200 nm. The Western blot results indicated that the exosomes in the HEnESCs group and the HEcESCs group were both relatively highly expressed with the specific marker CD63. The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the HEnESCs exosome group, the expression level of miR-142-3p in the HEcESCs exosome group was decreased (P<0.05).The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that Axl was the target gene of miR-142-3p. The RT-qPCR results showed that, compared with the HEnESCs group, the expression level of Axl mRNA was increased and the expression level of miR-142-3p was decreased in the HEcESCs group (P<0.05). All the exosomes in each group could be engulfed by macrophages. Compared with the Blank group, the expression levels of CD86 and iNOS in the HEnESCs exosome group were increased, while the expression levels of CD206 and Arg1 were decreased (P<0.05), whereas the expression level of CD206 in the HEcESCs exosome group was decreased (P<0.05),but there was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of CD86, CD206, and Arg1. Compared with the HEnESCs exosome group, the expression levels of CD86 and iNOS in the HEcESCs exosome group were decreased, while the expression levels of CD206 and Arg1 were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the miR-NC exosome group, the expression levels of CD86 and iNOS in the miR-142-3p exosome group were increased, while the expression levels of CD206 and Arg1 were decreased (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of CD86, iNOS, CD206, and Arg1 between the HEcESCs exosome group and the miR-NC exosome group (P>0.05). Compared with the Blank group, the expression level of miR-142-3p in the HEnESCs exosome group was increased, while the expression levels of Axl mRNA and Axl protein were decreased (P<0.05), whereas the expression level of Axl protein in the HEcESCs exosome group were decreased, but there was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of miR-142-3p and Axl mRNA(P>0.05). Compared with the HEnESCs exosome group, the expression level of miR-142-3p in the HEcESCs exosome group was decreased, while the expression levels of Axl mRNA and Axl protein were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the miR-NC exosome group, the expression level of miR-142-3p in the miR-142-3p exosome group was increased, while the expression levels of Axl mRNA and Axl protein were decreased (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of miR-142-3p, Axl mRNA expression, and Axl protein expression between the HEcESCs exosome group and the miR-NC exosome group (P>0.05). Conclusion The miR-142-3p gene is expressed at a low level in HEcESCs. It can downregulate Axl through exosomes to inhibit the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype, promote their polarization towards the M1 phenotype, and restore immune surveillance. Exosomal miR-142-3p can become a potential therapeutic target for EMs.

[Key words] Endometriosis; Human ectopic endometrial stromal cells; Exosomal miR-142-3p; Axl; Macrophage polarization

[中图分类号] R711.71

[文献标识码] A

[文章编号] 1673-7210(2026)06(a)-0043-08

DOI:10.20047/j.issn1673-7210.25072455

[基金项目] 新疆维吾尔自治区自然科学基金项目(2024D01C160)。

[通讯作者] 易金玲(1976.1-),女,博士,主任医师,新疆医科大学第五附属医院妇科主任;研究方向:子宫内膜异位症的发病机制。

(收稿日期:2025-07-31)

(修回日期:2026-02-02)

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