miR-542-3p targets ATG7 to regulate viability and profibrotic marker expression in human keloid fibroblasts

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ID: 324382
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Keloids are characterized by persistent fibroblast activation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. This study aimed to clarify the role of miR-542-3p in keloid fibroblasts and to determine whether ATG7 functions as a direct downstream mediator regulating fibroblast viability/apoptosis and profibrotic protein expression. Human keloid fibroblasts (HKFs) and human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) were used. miR-542-3p expression was quantified by RT-qPCR. HKFs were transfected with miR-542-3p mimic/inhibitor and corresponding negative controls. Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8, and apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry. Protein levels of collagen I, collagen III and α-SMA were examined by western blotting. Direct targeting of ATG7 by miR-542-3p was tested using wild-type/mutant ATG7 3’-UTR dual-luciferase reporter assays. ATG7 knockdown (si-ATG7) and epistasis (miR-542-3p inhibitor ± si-ATG7) experiments were performed to assess functional dependency. miR-542-3p was significantly upregulated in HKFs compared with HSFs. miR-542-3p inhibition reduced HKF viability and increased apoptosis, whereas miR-542-3p overexpression showed the opposite trend. miR-542-3p positively regulated collagen I, collagen III and α-SMA protein levels. Dual-luciferase assays confirmed that miR-542-3p directly binds the ATG7 3’-UTR, and ATG7 protein abundance was inversely regulated by miR-542-3p. Functionally, ATG7 knockdown increased HKF viability and elevated profibrotic marker expression, and it attenuated the anti-fibrotic effects induced by miR-542-3p inhibition. miR-542-3p promotes a pro-survival, profibrotic phenotype in keloid fibroblasts by directly targeting ATG7. The miR-542-3p/ATG7 axis may represent a mechanistically supported candidate pathway for further investigation in keloid fibrosis.
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Authors Ruihua Zhang, Feng Jin, Qianqian Zhang, Jie Zhao, Jia Liu, Yafeng Guo
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Journal journal of burn care & research : official publication of the american burn association
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/jbcr/irag129
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irag129
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