lnc-BAZ2B promotes M2 macrophage activation and inflammation in children with asthma through stabilizing BAZ2B pre-mRNA

Background: Dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is associated with a variety of human diseases; however, whether they have a role in childhood asthma is unknown. Objective: We sought to determine the differential expression profiles of lncRNAs in PBMCs of children with asthma and the mechanisms underlying the effects of lncRNAs on the pathogenesis of asthma. Methods: The differential expression profiles of lncRNAs were analyzed by transcriptome microarray. The effects and mechanisms by which lncRNAs influence macrophageactivation were detected by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot, RNase protection assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The roles played by lncRNAs in asthma were tested in a cockroach allergen extract (CRE)-induced mouse model. Results: We identified 719 lncRNAs that were differentially expressed in PBMCs of children with asthma, 502 of which were upregulated and 217 were downregulated. An lncRNA of unknown function, lnc-BAZ2B, was dominantly expressed in monocytes and significantly upregulated in children with asthma. lnc-BAZ2B promotes M2 macrophage activation by enhancing BAZ2B expression and exacerbated lung inflammation in an M2 macrophage-associated CRE-induced asthma model. Mechanistically, lnc-BAZ2B promoted the expression of its cis target gene BAZ2B by stabilizing its pre-mRNA. BAZ2B, a reader of H3K14ac modification, enhanced the transcription of IRF4 and promoted M2 macrophage activation. lnc-BAZ2B expression was correlated with that of BAZ2B in PBMCs from children with asthma. Baz2b knockdown could alleviate asthma severity in a CRE-induced asthma model. Conclusion: lnc-BAZ2B promotes M2 macrophage activation and inflammation in children with asthma and may serve as a potential therapeutic and diagnostic target in children with asthma.

Automated summary

Dysregulated expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of children with asthma, especially upregulation of lnc-BAZ2B, promotes M2 macrophage activation and exacerbates lung inflammation. The interaction between lnc-BAZ2B and BAZ2B contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma and suggests a potential therapeutic and diagnostic target for children with asthma.