Effects of microRNA-217 on proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of hepatocytes in rat models of CCL4-induced liver injury by targeting NAT2

Liver injury is an important cause of serious liver disease. This study aims to explore the effects of miR-217 targeting NAT2 on hepatocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy following carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced liver injury. Rat models of CCL4-induced liver injury were established. Healthy Wistar rats were randomized into the normal, blank, negative control (NC), microRNA-217 (miR-217) mimic, miR-217 inhibitor, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), and miR-217 inhibitor+siRNA-NAT2 groups. NAT2 activity was evaluated with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect NAT2 protein positive rate. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to examine expressions of miR-217, NAT2, Bcl-2, Bax, p35, LC3-II, Becline-1, and the ratio of caspase-3/cleaved caspase-3. Autophagy, proliferation, and cell cycle distribution were determined by electron microscope, CCK-8, and flow cytometry. NAT2 protein positive rate and miR-217, NAT2, Bcl-2, and p35 expressions were higher and Bax, LC3-II, and Becline-1 expressions and the ratio of caspase-3/cleaved caspase-3 lower in the normal group than the other six groups. Compared with the blank and NC groups, in the miR-217 mimic and siRNA-NAT2 groups, Bax, LC3-II, and Becline-1 expressions and the ratio of caspase-3/cleaved caspase-3, and hepatocyte apoptosis and autophagy increased, while NAT2, Bcl-2, and p35 expressions and hepatocyte proliferation decreased; opposite results were observed in the miR-217 inhibitor group. Collectively, miR-217 targeting NAT2 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis and autophagy of hepatocytes in CCL4-induced liver injury.