Epithelial microRNA-206 targets CD39/extracellular ATP to upregulate airway IL-25 and TSLP in type 2-high asthma.

The epithelial cell-derived cytokines IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP initiate type 2 inflammation in allergic diseases including asthma. However, the signaling pathway regulating these cytokines expression remains elusive. Since microRNAs are pivotal regulators of gene expression, we profiled microRNA expression in bronchial epithelial brushings from type 2-low and type 2-high asthma patients. MiR-206 was the most highly expressed epithelial microRNA in type 2-high asthma relative to type 2-low asthma but was downregulated in both subsets compared with healthy controls. CD39, an ectonucleotidase degrading ATP, was a target of miR-206 and upregulated in asthma. Allergen-induced acute extracellular ATP accumulation led to miR-206 downregulation and CD39 upregulation in human bronchial epithelial cells, forming a feedback loop to eliminate excessive ATP. Airway ATP levels were markedly elevated and strongly correlated with IL-25 and TSLP expression in asthma patients. Intriguingly, airway miR-206 antagonism increased Cd39 expression, reduced ATP accumulation, suppressed Il-25, Il-33, Tslp expression and group 2 innate lymphoid cell expansion, and alleviated type 2 inflammation in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. In contrast, airway miR-206 overexpression had opposite effects. Overall, epithelial miR-206 upregulates airway IL-25, TSLP expression by targeting CD39-extracellular ATP axis, which represents a novel therapeutic target in type 2-high asthma.