MiR-202-5p Promotes M2 Polarization in Allergic Rhinitis by Targeting MATN2

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MiR-202-5p on macrophages involved in allergic rhinitis. Methods: Thirty allergic rhinitis patients and 10 healthy controls were recruited. Nasal lavage was utilized to collect mucosal tissues and mucus-derived macrophages. Flow cytometry was used to detect and sort type 2 macrophages, and qRT-PCR and Western blot were adopted to determine the expression of miR-202-5p and MATN2. Luciferase reporter assay and biotin-RNA pulldown were performed to testify the direct binding of miR-202-5p with MATN2. MATN2 was further overexpressed to test its effect on M2 polarization. Results: miR-202-5p, which can promote M2 polarization, was highly expressed in allergic rhinitis mucosal tissues and macrophages compared with the healthy controls. MATN2 could be directly targeted by miR-202-5p and can reverse miR-202-5p-mediated M2 phenotype polarization in allergic rhinitis. Conclusions: miR-202-5p could target MATN2 to induce M2 polarization involved in allergic rhinitis. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel