Target-dependent coordinated biogenesis of secondary microRNAs by miR-146a balances macrophage activation processes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) repress protein expression by binding to the target mRNAs. Exploring whether the expression of one miRNA can regulate the abundance and activity of other miRNAs, we noted the coordinated biogenesis of miRNAs in activated macrophages. miRNAs with higher numbers of binding sites (the “primary” miRNAs) induce expression of other miRNAs (“secondary” miRNAs) having binding sites on the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of common target mRNAs. miR-146a-5p, in activated macrophages, acts as a “primary” miRNA that coordinates biogenesis of “secondary” miR-125b, miR-21, or miR-142-3p to target new sets of mRNAs to balance the immune responses. During coordinated biogenesis, primary miRNA drives the biogenesis of secondary miRNA in a target mRNA- and Dicer1 activity-dependent manner. The coordinated biogenesis of miRNAs was observed across different cell types. The target-dependent coordinated miRNA biogenesis also ensures a cumulative mode of action of primary and secondary miRNAs on the secondary target mRNAs. Interestingly, using the “primary” miR-146a-5p-specific inhibitor, we could inhibit the target-dependent biogenesis of secondary miRNAs that can stop the miRNA-mediated buffering of cytokine expression and inflammatory response occurring in activated macrophages. Computational analysis suggests the prevalence of coordinated biogenesis of miRNAs also in other contexts in human and in mouse.