Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomal miR-301a-3p Regulates Airway Smooth Muscle Cells During Asthma by Targeting STAT3

Chen-Ye Feng *, Shi-Yao Bai *, Meng-Lu Li, Jie-Yu Zhao, Jia-Min Sun, Hui-Jing Bao, Yuan Ren, Xin-Ming Su Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University; Respiratory Disease Institution of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xin-Ming SuDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University; Respiratory Disease Institution of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail xinming_med@126.comBackground: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease featured by inflammation and remodeling of airway. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSCs)-derived exosomal miRNAs have been suggested as promising therapeutic manners for diseases.Methods: ADSCs and airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were isolated from SD rats. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect the surface biomarkers of isolated cells. Exosomes were extracted by sequentially centrifuge method and identified by Western blotting and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Uptake of exosomes by ASMCs was detected by confocal assay. ASMCs were treated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to mimic cell remodeling and inflammation. Cell counting 8 (CCK-8), Transwell, and flow cytometry were performed to determine the viability, migration, and apoptosis of ASMCs. Release of inflammatory factors was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of RNAs and proteins were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Interaction between miR-301a-3p and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was determined by luciferase reporter gene assay. The effect of Exosomal miR