Fig. 4

SPP1 is a downstream target of miR-422a. Note: (A) RT-qPCR examined the expression levels of miR-25-5p, miR-422a, miR-576-3p, and miR-99b-3p in normal HBE cells and CSE-treated HBE cells. (B) qRT-PCR analyzed the expression of miR-422a, SPP1, and IL17A in myofibroblasts. (C) Western blots determined the relative protein levels of α-SMA and type I collagen in myofibroblasts. (D) qRT-PCR measured the expression of SPP1 and IL17A in myofibroblasts. (E) Western blots assessed the relative protein levels of α-SMA and type I collagen in myofibroblasts. (F) SPP1, a downstream target of miR-422a, was predicted using the bibiserv-rnahybrid database (https://bibiserv.cebitec.uni-bielefeld.de/rnahybrid/). (G) Transfection of miR-422a mimic (or mimic NC) and SPP1-WT (or SPP1-MUT) into 293T cells was performed, and luciferase activity was analyzed using the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay after 48 h of transfection. The experiment was repeated at least three times. * indicates P < 0.05