Moxibustion regulates T-regulatory/T-helper 17 cell balance by modulating the microRNA-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 axis in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)progression is associated with the balance of T-regulatory(Treg)and T-helper 17(Th17)cells,while the role of microRNAs(miRs)in regulating Treg/Th17 cell balance has not been clarified.This study aimed to assess whether moxibustion could regulate Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3)axis in the RA mouse model.Methods A mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)was established in male DBA/1J mice.Twenty-two days after CIA induction,the mice received daily treatment with moxibustion for 12 times.Pathological scores were assessed according to the levels of synovial hyperplasia.The expression levels of cytokines interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),IL-17 and IL-10 were analyzed in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The cluster of differentiation 4(CD4+)splenocytes was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.The expression levels of RA-related miRs and target genes were subsequently detected,and the target of miR-221 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.Results It was revealed that moxibustion treatment decreased the pathological scores and downregulated the expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,IFN-γand IL-17,while upregulated the expression level of IL-10.The Treg/Th17 cell balance was regulated by moxibustion treatment.The expression level of miR-221 was suppressed by moxibustion treatment.Furthermore,SOCS3 was found as the direct target of miR-221,which mediated the function of moxibustion by regulating the Treg/Th17 cell balance.Conclusion Moxibustion therapy regulated the Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/SOCS3 axis in the RA mouse model.