Geniposide alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation by downregulation of miR-27a in rat pancreatic acinar cell AR42J.

Pancreatitis is a disease caused by inflammation of pancreatic acinar cells. Geniposide (GEN) possesses anti-inflammation activities. Hence, we investigated the effects of GEN on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated AR42J cells. AR42J cells were stimulated by LPS and then treated with GEN and/or transfected with miR-27a mimic or negative control. Cell viability and cell apoptosis were detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. All related proteins were measured by Western blot. The expression of miR-27a was detected by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, the expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. LPS significantly decreased cell viability, and enhanced cell apoptosis and IL-6, MCP-1 expression. Then GEN administration alleviated inflammatory injury by increasing cell viability, while reducing apoptosis, and IL-6 and MCP-1 expression. GEN downregulated miR-27a expression which was induced by LPS. Transfection with miR-27a mimic partially eliminated the protective effects of GEN. The phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun was downregulated by GEN while upregulated by miR-27a overexpression. GEN alleviates LPS-induced AR42J cell injury as evidenced by promoting cell growth, and upregulation of IL-6 and MCP-1. This process might be modulated by down-regulating miR-27a and inactivation of JNK pathway.