MiR-223-3p Regulates Autophagy and Inflammation by Targeting ATG16L1 in Fusarium solani-Induced Keratitis

PURPOSE. Increasing evidence suggested that microRNAs (miRs) are implicated in the regulation of the inflammatory response and autophagy in multiple diseases. The present study aimed to explore the effect of miR-223-3p on inflammation and autophagy in fungal keratitis (FK). METHODS. An FK mouse model was established, and primary corneal stromal cells were isolated by inoculation with Fusarium solani. The expression of miR-223-3p was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Subsequently, the target gene of miR-223-3p was identified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The levels of miR-223-3p were altered by transfecting miR agomir/antagomir to evaluate its effects. Slit-lamp biomi-croscopy and hematoxylin and eosin staining were employed to detect corneal damage. The levels of autophagy were assessed by immunofluorescence, Western blotting, mRFP-GFP-LC3 fluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy. In addition, inflam-mation was demonstrated by determining the proinflammatory mediators IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. RESULTS. Our data suggested that miR-223-3p was increased and that autophagic flux was impaired in mouse FK. Then, we confirmed that autophagy-related gene 16L1 (ATG16L1) was a potential target of miR-223-3p and that this miR negatively regulated the expression of ATG16L1. The inhibition of miR-223-3p attenuated inflammation in FK, reduced P62 expression, and increased the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I, whereas the overexpression of miR-223-3p displayed the opposite results. CONCLUSIONS. Taken together, miR-223-3p might regulate autophagy via targeting ATG16L1 in experimental F. solani keratitis and is associated with the inflammatory response. MiR-223-3p might be a potential therapeutic target for FK.