Argonaute 2 regulates LPS-induced inflammation in microglial BV2 cells by targeting Cadm1.

Microglia are primary innate immune cells in the central nervous system that are involved in the regulation of neuroinflammation. As a core component of the RNA-induced silencing complex, Argonaute 2 (Ago2) plays a critical role in the maintenance of brain homeostasis. However, the functional role of Ago2 in microglia is still unclear. In this study, we identified that Ago2 expression is associated with LPS stimulation in microglial BV2 cells. Targeted deletion of Ago2 in BV2 cells leads to alteration of the Stat1/Akt signaling pathway and disrupted secretion of inflammatory cytokines under the LPS treatment. Interestingly, our data indicate that the Cadm1 gene is a downstream target of Ago2 through the binding of Ago2-miR-128 complex. Moreover, inhibition of Cadm1 expression can reverse the impairment of the Stat1/Akt signaling pathway and inflammatory response. In summary, our findings indicate that the Ago2-Cadm1 axis is involved in the metabolic regulation of BV2 cells in response to inflammatory stimuli.