The present study investigated the preventive effects of microRNA (miR)-146a against severe burn-induced remote acute lung injury (ALI) in rats and the underlying mechanism. The surface area of the skin was immersed in 100˚C water for 5-10 sec on the dorsal surface. The expression level of miR-146a was significantly downregulated in rats with burn-induced ALI. Downregulation of miR-146a increased inflammation, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in

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... a model of ALI in vitro via the promotion of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)4/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. In addition, the overexpression of miR-146a reduced inflammation, and iNOS and COX-2 protein expression in the model of ALI in vitro via the suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. A TLR4 inhibitor reduced the function of anti-miR-146a on inflammation in the model of ALI. Collectively, the results of the present study demonstrated the preventive effects of miR-146a against severe burn-induced remote ALI in rats through the anti-inflammatory-regulated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.