Long Non-coding RNA DANCR Regulates the Proliferation and Migration of Human Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Inflammation Conditions.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and Dexamethasone (Dex) are both effective methods to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the interaction between inflammatory factors, Dex, and MSCs in repair is not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects and mechanisms of glucocorticoids on the tissue repair characteristics of MSCs in an inflammatory environment.

Methods: This is an experimental study. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hASCs) were cultured, and Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) differentiation antagonizing nonprotein coding RNA (DANCR) expression was detected after treatment with Dex and inflammation factors. Additionally, DANCR was knockdown or overexpressed before Dex or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) treatments, respectively. hASC proliferation, cell cycle, and migration ability were analyzed to evaluate the effects of DANCR in hASCs treated with Dex or TNF-α. Nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) pathway inhibitors were used to clarify the signal pathway that DANCR involved. All data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. The two-tailed Student's t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical differences between groups.

Results: Dex decreased the proliferation and migration of hASCs and upregulated DANCR expression in a dosage-dependent relationship. The knockdown of DANCR reversed Dex's repression of hASC proliferation. Moreover, DANCR was decreased by inflammatory cytokines, and overexpressing DANCR alleviated the promotion effects of TNF-α on hASC proliferation and migration. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation validated that DANCR was involved in the NF- κB signaling pathway.

Conclusions: We identified a lncRNA, DANCR, that was involved in Dex and inflammation-affected hASC proliferation and migration. Dex reduced the proliferation and migration of hASCs through DANCR while exerting its anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, it is suggested to avoid the simultaneous application of hASCs and steroids in clinical practice. These results enrich our understanding of the versatile function of lncRNAs in the crosstalk of inflammation conditions and MSCs.