Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in macrophages activated by Actinidia eriantha polysaccharide.

The polysaccharide from the roots of Actinidia eriantha (AEPS) is a potent antitumor agent and immunological adjuvant. The recent evidences indicate that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in regulating the activation and function of immune cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs and explore the role of lncRNAs in AEPS-activated RAW264.7 cells using whole gene expression microarray. AEPS induced the differential expression of 1,807 mRNAs and 506 lncRNAs in RAW264.7 cells. The mRNA expression levels of both M1 and M2 specific cytokines and chemokines were significantly upregulated in RAW264.7 cells by AEPS. NF-κB inhibitors and shRNA-NF-κB p65 significantly decreased the up-regulation of IL-1β expression in RAW264.7 cells induced by AEPS. Five AEPS-induced lncRNAs (D730047E02Rik, Gm14047, A_30_P01020139, A_30_P01026293 and A_30_P01032196) were identified and predicted to locally regulate mRNA expressions of immune response genes in RAW264.7 cells through the specific interaction with NF-κB p65. The inhibition of NF-κB could significantly suppress the expression of these lncRNAs induced by AEPS. These results indicated that AEPS induced the activation of macrophages via lncRNAs/NF-κB networks. This study further expanded current knowledge on the mechanisms of plant polysaccharides.