Retracted : MicroRNA‐132 attenuates LPS‐induced inflammatory injury by targeting TRAF6 in neuronal cell line HT‐22

Long non-coding RNA-small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 regulates inflammatory responses following spinal cord injury by regulating the microRNA-449a/TNF-α-induced protein 3-interacting protein 2 axis

The current study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of long non-coding RNA-small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (lncRNA-SNHG7) and its mechanism in spinal cord injury (SCI) models. SCI models were established both in vivo and in vitro. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of lncRNA-SNHG7 in SCI models. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were carried out to confirm the interaction between lncRNA-SNHG7 with microRNA (miR)-499a and TNF-α-induced protein 3-interacting protein 2 (TNIP2). In addition, cell viability, apoptosis, and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometric analysis, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The results showed that lncRNA-SNHG7 was markedly downregulated in the SCI model group. LncRNA-SNHG7 directly bound to miR-499a, which in turn directly targeted TNIP2. In addition, TNIP2 was significantly decreased in SCI rats and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated PC-12 cells. The in vitro results in PC-12 cells revealed that lncRNA-SNHG7 overexpression attenuated neuronal cell death and SCI-mediated inflammatory responses by regulating miR-449a expression. Furthermore, miR-499a knockdown inhibited LPS-induced PC-12 cell injury by targeting TNIP2. In conclusion, lncRNA-SNHG7 modulates the apoptosis and inflammation of PC-12 cells by regulating the miR-449a/TNIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ssc-microRNA-132 targets DACH1 to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in Clostridium perfringens beta2 toxin-treated porcine intestinal epithelial cells

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C (CPC) is one of the chief pathogens that causes diarrhea in piglets, and C. perfringens beta2 (CPB2) toxin is the main virulence factor of CPC. Our previous research demonstrated that ssc-microR-132 was differentially expressed in ileal tissues of CPC-mediated diarrheic piglets and healthy piglets, which implied a potential role of ssc-microR-132 in this process. Here, we found that ssc-microR-132 was notably down-regulated in CPB2-exposed intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2), which was consistent with the ileal tissue expression. Moreover, ssc-microR-132 upregulation alleviated CPB2-induced inflammatory damage and apoptosis in IPEC-J2, whereas ssc-microR-132 knockdown presented the opposite effects. Furthermore, the dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that ssc-microR-132 directly targeted Dachshund homolog 1 (DACH1). Moreover, DACH1 overexpression intensified CPB2-induced inflammatory injury and apoptosis in IPEC-J2. Remarkably, the introduction of DACH1 weakened the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of ssc-microR-132 in CPB2-exposed IPEC-J2. Overall, the results reveal that ssc-microR-132 targeted DACH1 to alleviate CPB2-mediated inflammation and apoptosis in IPEC-J2.

Prenatal LPS exposure increases hippocampus IL-10 and prevents short-term memory loss in the male adolescent offspring of high-fat diet fed dams

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance can reduce the neuroinflammation caused by high fat maternal diets; however, there are no reports that have evaluated the effects of prenatal LPS exposure on the memories of the offspring of high-fat diet fed dams. This study evaluated the effects of prenatal LPS exposure on the inflammatory parameters and redox status in the brain, as well as the object recognition memory of adolescent offspring of Wistar rat dams that were treated with a high-fat diet during gestation and lactation. Female pregnant Wistar rats randomly received a standard diet (17.5% fat) or a high-fat diet (45.0% fat) during gestation and lactation. On gestation days 8, 10, and 12, half of the females in each group were intraperitoneally treated with LPS (0.1 mg.kg-1). After weaning, the male offspring were placed in cages in standard conditions, and at 6 weeks old, animals underwent the novel object recognition test (for short- and long-term memory). The offspring of the high-fat diet fed dams showed increased hippocampus IL-6 levels (21-days-old) and impaired short-term memories. These effects were avoided in the offspring of high-fat diet fed dams submitted to prenatal LPS exposure, which showed greater hippocampus IL-10 levels (at 21- and 50-days-old), increased antioxidant activity (50-days-old) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, without memory impairments (short- and long-term memory). IL-6 has been consistently implicated in memory deficits and as an endogenous mechanism for limiting plasticity, while IL-10 regulates glial activation and has a strong association with improvements in cognitive function. Prenatal LPS exposure preventing the increase of IL-6 in the hippocampus and the impairment to short-term object recognition memory caused by the high-fat maternal diet.

Mechanism of miR-132-3p Promoting Neuroinflammation and Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease

The major pathology in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is neuron injury induced by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the activation of microglial cells. The objective of this study is to determine the effect and mechanism of miR-132-3p in regulating neuroinflammation and the degeneration of dopaminergic neuron in PD. The expressions of miR-132-3p in brain tissues of PD patients, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse models were detected. The effect of miR-132-3p and GLRX in cell viability, apoptosis and inflammation was verified in BV-2 cells. The activation of Iba1 in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase were detected in PD mouse models and the mobility of mouse models was assessed as well. The targeting relationship between miR-132-3p and GLRX was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Elevated expression of miR-132-3p and decreased expression of GLRX were found in PD patients and cells models. Overexpression of miR-132-3p can induce activation of microglial cells, which can be reversed by GLRX overexpression. Collected evidence in both cell model and mouse models showed the effect of miR-132-3p in enhancing the activation of microglial cells and the loss of microglia cells, which was achieved by mediating GLRX.

The emerging role of noncoding RNAs in neuroinflammation: Implications in pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression in different cell processes. Due to their ability in monitoring neural development genes, these transcripts confer neurons with the potential to exert broad control over the expression of genes for performing neurobiological functions. Although the change of ncRNA expression in different neurodegenerative diseases has been reviewed elsewhere, only recent evidence drove our attention to unravel the involvement of these molecules in neuroinflammation within these devastating disorders. Remarkably, the interactions between ncRNAs and inflammatory pathways are not fully recognized. Therefore, this review has focused on the interplay between diverse inflammatory pathways and the related ncRNAs, including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and competing endogenous RNAs in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and prion diseases. Providing novel insights in the field of combining biomarkers is a critical step for using them as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets in clinical settings.

Up-regulated microRNA-132 reduces the cognition-damaging effect of sevoflurane on Alzheimer's disease rats by inhibiting FOXA1

OBJECTIVE

Some studies have implied the damaging effect of sevoflurane (sevo) on cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This research was conducted to explore the effect of microRNA (miR)-132/forkhead-box A1 (FOXA1) axis on cognitive ability of sevo-treated AD rats.

METHODS

The condensed-matter Aβ_1-40-induced AD rats were injected with miR-132- or FOXA1-related plasmids, followed by inhalation with 3% sevo. Then, the cognitive functions of AD rats were assessed. miR-132 and FOXA1 levels in hippocampal tissues of AD rats, and their interaction were identified.

RESULTS

miR-132 expression was reduced and FOXA1 mRNA and protein levels were elevated in AD rats. miR-132 targeted FOXA1. Sevo treatment impaired cognitive function in AD rats. Elevated miR-132 or inhibited FOXA1 attenuated sevo-mediated injury in AD rats. Overexpressed FOXA1 rescued the effect of elevated miR-132 in AD rats with sevo treatment.

CONCLUSION

Up-regulated miR-132 reduces the cognition-damaging effect of sevo on AD rats by inhibiting FOXA1.

Depression of lncRNA MINCR antagonizes LPS-evoked acute injury and inflammatory response via miR-146b-5p and the TRAF6-NFkB signaling

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MINCR is closely related to inflammation injury. This study was performed to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of MINCR in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury and inflammation.

METHODS

The expression levels of MINCR and miR-146b-5p in lung tissue status were detected by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 in lung tissue. The relationship between MINCR, miR-146b-5p, and TRAF6 was explored using bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay.

RESULTS

The expression levels of MINCR were increased in a mouse model of LPS-induced ALI and small airway epithelial cells (SAECs). shMINCR resulted in increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis, which protected against LPS-induced cell damage. shMINCR can inhibit the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, neutrophil numbers, myeloperoxidase activity, and the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α induced by LPS. The silencing of miR-146b-5p reversed the effects of MINCR on LPS-induced lung damage. Sh-MINCR decreased the expression levels of TRAF6 and p-P65 in LPS-induced SAECs and lung tissues. Co-transfection of sh-MINCR with miR-146b-5p inhibitor reversed the effect of sh-MINCR on the expression of TRAF6 and p-P65.

CONCLUSIONS

MINCR may induce alveolar epithelial cell injury and inflammation and aggravate the progression of ALI/ARDS through miR-146b-5p and TRAF6/NF-κB pathways, which would provide a promising target for the treatment of ALI/ARDS.

LPS tolerance prevents anxiety-like behavior and amygdala inflammation of high-fat-fed dams' adolescent offspring

Maternal high-fat diets (HFD) can generate inflammation in the offspring's amygdala, which can lead to anxiety-like behaviors. Conversely, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance can reduce neuroinflammation in the offspring caused by maternal high-fat diets. This study evaluated the combination of LPS tolerance and high-fat maternal diet on amygdala's inflammatory parameters and the anxiety-like behavior in adolescent offspring. Female pregnant Wistar rats received randomly a standard diet or a high-fat diet during gestation and lactation. On gestation days 8, 10, and 12, half of the females in each group were intraperitonially injected with LPS (0.1 mg.kg-1). After weaning, the male offspring (n = 96) were placed in individual boxes in standard conditions, and when 6 weeks-old, the animals underwent: Open-Field, Light/Dark Box, Elevated Plus-Maze, and Rotarod tests. When 50 days-old the offspring were euthanized and the amygdala removed for cytokine and redox status analysis. The offspring in the HFD group showed lower amygdala IL-10 levels, high IL-6/IL-10 ratio, and anxiety-like behaviors. These effects were attenuated in the HFD offspring submitted to LPS tolerance, which showed an anti-inflammatory compensatory response in the amygdala. Also, this group showed a higher activity of the enzyme catalase in the amygdala. In addition, receiving the combination of LPS tolerance and maternal HFD did not lead to anxiety-like behavior in the offspring. The results suggest that LPS tolerance attenuated amygdala inflammation through an anti-inflammatory compensatory response besides preventing anxiety-like behavior caused by the high-fat maternal diet.

Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuronal damage by inhibiting NLRP1 inflammasomes in HT22 cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a toxic component of cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria that are widely present in gastrointestinal tracts. Increasing evidence showed that LPS plays important roles in the pathogeneses of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). NADPH oxidase s2 (NOX2) is a complex membrane protein that contributes to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in several neurological diseases. The NLRP1 inflammasome can be activated in response to an accumulation of ROS in neurons. However, it is still unknown whether LPS exposure can deteriorate neuronal damage by activating NOX2-NLRP1 inflammasomes. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has protective effects on neurons, although whether Rg1 alleviates LPS-induced neuronal damage by inhibiting NOX2-NLRP1 inflammasomes remains unclear. In the present study, the effect of concentration gradients and different times of LPS exposure on neuronal damage was investigated in HT22 cells, and further observed the effect of Rg1 treatment on NOX2-NLPR1 inflammasome activation, ROS production and neuronal damage in LPS-treated HT22 cells. The results demonstrated that LPS exposure significantly induced NOX2-NLRP1 inflammasome activation, excessive production of ROS, and neuronal damage in HT22 cells. It was also shown that Rg1 treatment significantly decreased NOX2-NLRP1 inflammasome activation and ROS production and alleviated neuronal damage in LPS-induced HT22 cells. The present data suggested that Rg1 has protective effects on LPS-induced neuronal damage by inhibiting NOX2-NLRP1 inflammasomes in HT22 cells, and Rg1 may be a potential therapeutic approach for delaying neuronal damage in AD.

MicroRNA-139-5p inhibits inflammatory and oxidative stress responses of Salmonella-infected macrophages through modulating TRAF6

Evidence indicates that macrophages play an important role in the immune system. Therefore, research involving inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in macrophages is of great significance. Many factors contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, including Salmonella. We investigated the effect of the miR-139-5p/TRAF6 axis on the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses of Salmonella -infected macrophages. Our findings revealed that miR-139-5p decreased IL-1β and TNF-α levels to inhibit Salmonella-induced inflammatory responses in the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. Furthermore, miR-139-5p inhibited Salmonella-induced oxidative stress by strengthening SOD, CAT and GSH-PX activity, as well as lowering the malondialdehyde level in the RAW264.7 macrophages cell line. Subsequently, it was verified that TRAF6 was a downstream target of miR-139-5p in RAW264.7 cells. Rescue assays indicated that the over-expression of miR-139-5p inhibits the effects of TRAF6 on inflammatory and oxidative stress responses including Salmonella infection in RAW264.7 cells. To our knowledge, this study is the first to verify that miR-139-5p inhibits inflammatory and oxidative stress responses of Salmonella-infected macrophages through regulating TRAF6. This discovery may offer new insights on inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in macrophages.

MicroRNA Dysregulation in Epilepsy: From Pathogenetic Involvement to Diagnostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Agent Development

Epilepsy is the result of a group of transient abnormalities in brain function caused by an abnormal, highly synchronized discharge of brain neurons. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of endogenous non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules that participate in a series of important biological processes. Recent studies demonstrated that miRNAs are involved in a variety of central nervous system diseases, including epilepsy. Although the exact mechanism underlying the role of miRNAs in epilepsy pathogenesis is still unclear, these miRNAs may be involved in the inflammatory response in the nervous system, neuronal necrosis and apoptosis, dendritic growth, synaptic remodeling, glial cell proliferation, epileptic circuit formation, impairment of neurotransmitter and receptor function, and other processes. Here, we discuss miRNA metabolism and the roles of miRNA in epilepsy pathogenesis and evaluate miRNA as a potential new biomarker for the diagnosis of epilepsy, which enhances our understanding of disease processes.

MicroRNA-3614 regulates inflammatory response via targeting TRAF6-mediated MAPKs and NF-κB signaling in the epicardial adipose tissue with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

The inflammatory status of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is one of the factors leading to the development of related diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). The thickness of CAD EAT increases and is accompanied with increased macrophage infiltration and heightened inflammatory responses. However, microRNAs (miRNAs) regulating the inflammatory responses of macrophages in CAD EAT remain unclear.

METHOD

miRNA expression profiles of CAD EATs and non-CAD EATs were determined by miRNA microarrays. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunohistochemical assay, and fluorescence in-situ hybridization were adopted to detect miR-3614 expression and function in EATs and macrophages. The interaction between miR-3614 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) was identified using an online website combined with a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

RESULTS

The decreased expression of miR-3614 was identified in CAD EAT. The level of miR-3614 was down-regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in macrophages, whereas LPS-induced inflammatory injury can be reduced by miR-3614 overexpression. TRAF6 was predicted and verified to be a target of miR-3614. The phosphorylated levels of kinases in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathways were inhibited by miR-3614 overexpression. Importantly, the knockdown of TRAF6 inhibited the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expressions in cells.

CONCLUSION

A novel negative feedback loop by miR-3614 possibly contribute to the regulation of inflammatory processes via targeting the TRAF6/MAPK/NF-κB pathway in EATs and prevents an overwhelming inflammatory response.

The Regulation of microRNAs in Alzheimer's Disease

MicroRNAs are small non-coding nucleic acids that are responsible for regulating the gene expression by binding to the coding region and 3' and 5' un-translated region of target messenger RNA. Approximately 70% of known microRNAs are expressed in the brain and increasing evidences demonstrate the possible involvement of microRNAs in Alzheimer's disease (AD) according to the statistics. The characteristic symptoms of AD are the progressive loss of memory and cognitive functions due to the deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide, intracellular aggregation of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein, the loss of synapses, and neuroinflammation, as well as dysfunctional autophagy. Therefore, microRNA-mediated regulation for above-mentioned changes may be the potential therapeutic strategies for AD. In this review, the role of specific microRNAs involved in AD and corresponding applications are systematically discussed, including positive effects associated with the reduction of Aβ or Tau protein, the protection of synapses, the inhibition of neuroinflammation, the mitigation of aging, and the induction of autophagy in AD. It will be beneficial to develop effective targets for establishing a cross link between pharmacological intervention and AD in the near future.

Exosomes: From Potential Culprits to New Therapeutic Promise in the Setting of Cardiac Fibrosis

Fibrosis is a significant global health problem associated with many inflammatory and degenerative diseases affecting multiple organs, individually or simultaneously. Fibrosis develops when extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling becomes excessive or uncontrolled and is associated with nearly all forms of heart disease. Cardiac fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the main effectors of ECM deposition and scar formation. The heart is a complex multicellular organ, where the various resident cell types communicate between themselves and with cells of the blood and immune systems. Exosomes, which are small extracellular vesicles, (EVs), contribute to cell-to-cell communication and their pathophysiological relevance and therapeutic potential is emerging. Here, we will critically review the role of endogenous exosomes as possible fibrosis mediators and discuss the possibility of using stem cell-derived and/or engineered exosomes as anti-fibrotic agents.

Circulating Brain-enriched MicroRNAs for detection and discrimination of idiopathic and genetic Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

A minimally invasive test for early detection and monitoring of Parkinson's disease (PD) is a highly unmet need for drug development and planning of patient care. Blood plasma represents an attractive source of biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved noncoding RNA molecules that serve as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. As opposed to ubiquitously expressed miRNAs that control house-keeping processes, brain-enriched miRNAs regulate diverse aspects of neuron development and function. These include neuron-subtype specification, axonal growth, dendritic morphogenesis, and spine density. Backed by a large number of studies, we now know that the differential expression of neuron-enriched miRNAs leads to brain dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to identify subsets of brain-enriched miRNAs with diagnostic potential for familial and idiopathic PD as well as specify the molecular pathways deregulated in PD.

METHODS

Initially, brain-enriched miRNAs were selected based on literature review and validation studies in human tissues. Subsequently, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed in the plasma of 100 healthy controls and 99 idiopathic and 53 genetic (26 alpha-synuclein^A53T and 27 glucocerebrosidase) patients. Statistical and bioinformatics analyses were carried out to pinpoint the diagnostic biomarkers and deregulated pathways, respectively.

RESULTS

An explicit molecular fingerprint for each of the 3 PD cohorts was generated. Although the idiopathic PD fingerprint was different from that of genetic PD, the molecular pathways deregulated converged between all PD subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides a group of brain-enriched miRNAs that may be used for the detection and differentiation of PD subtypes. It has also identified the molecular pathways deregulated in PD. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Dietary Supplementation of the Antioxidant Curcumin Halts Systemic LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation-Associated Neurodegeneration and Memory/Synaptic Impairment via the JNK/NF-κB/Akt Signaling Pathway in Adult Rats

Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound widely known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. In the present study, we explored the neuroprotective effect of curcumin against lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) mediated neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and memory deficits in the adult rat hippocampus via regulation of the JNK/NF-κB/Akt signaling pathway. Adult rats were treated intraperitoneally with LPS at a dose of 250 μg/kg for 7 days and curcumin at a dose of 300 mg/kg for 14 days. After 14 days, the rats were sacrificed, and western blotting and ROS and lipid peroxidation assays were performed. For immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, the rats were perfused transcardially with 4% paraformaldehyde. In order to verify the JNK-dependent neuroprotective effect of curcumin and to confirm the in vivo results, HT-22 neuronal and BV2 microglial cells were exposed to LPS at a dose of 1 μg/ml, curcumin 100 μg/ml, and SP600125 (a specific JNK inhibitor) 20 μM. Our immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and biochemical results revealed that curcumin inhibited LPS-induced oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde and 2,7-dichlorofluorescein levels and ameliorating neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death via regulation of the JNK/NF-κB/Akt signaling pathway both in vivo (adult rat hippocampus) and in vitro (HT-22/BV2 cell lines). Moreover, curcumin markedly improved LPS-induced memory impairment in the Morris water maze and Y-maze tasks. Taken together, our results suggest that curcumin may be a potential preventive and therapeutic candidate for LPS-induced ROS-mediated neurotoxicity and memory deficits in an adult rat model.

Resveratrol alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in PC-12 cells and in rat model

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a huge medical problem nowadays as there is no hospital providing the versatile strategies for repairing central nervous system and restoring function. Herein, we focused on PC-12 cells as an important research tool and studied the potential role of resveratrol (RSV) in inflammation induced by LPS.

Results

RSV improved inflammatory injury and functional recovery in rat model of SCI. RSV inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory injury in PC-12 cells via increasing viability, decreasing apoptosis, and suppressing IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. miR-132 was down-regulated after LPS treatment but up-regulated after RSV administration. miR-132 silence curbed the protective effect of RSV. The results including increase of cell growth, suppression of inflammatory response, and blocking of NF-κB and p38MAPK pathways produced by RSV were all reversed by miR-132 silence.

Conclusion

RSV could up-regulate miR-132 and further ameliorate inflammatory response in PC-12 cells by inhibiting NF-κB and p38MAPK pathways.

Targeted Gene Editing of Glia Maturation Factor in Microglia: a Novel Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic Target

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to severe cognitive impairment in elderly patients. Chronic neuroinflammation plays an important role in the AD pathogenesis. Glia maturation factor (GMF), a proinflammatory molecule discovered in our laboratory, is significantly upregulated in various regions of AD brains. We have previously reported that GMF is predominantly expressed in the reactive glial cells surrounding the amyloid plaques (APs) in the mouse and human AD brain. Microglia are the major source of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines including GMF. Recently clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) based genome editing has been recognized to study the functions of genes that are implicated in various diseases. Here, we investigated if CRISPR-Cas9-mediated GMF gene editing leads to inhibition of GMF expression and suppression of microglial activation. Confocal microscopy of murine BV2 microglial cell line transduced with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) coexpressing Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) Cas9 and a GMF-specific guide RNA (GMF-sgRNA) revealed few cells expressing SaCas9 while lacking GMF expression, thereby confirming successful GMF gene editing. To further improve GMF gene editing efficiency, we developed lentiviral vectors (LVs) expressing either Streptococcus pyogenes (Sp) Cas9 or GMF-sgRNAs. BV2 cells cotransduced with LVs expressing SpCas9 and GMF-sgRNAs revealed reduced GMF expression and the presence of indels in the exons 2 and 3 of the GMF coding sequence. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of GMF-edited cells led to reduced microglial activation as shown by reduced p38 MAPK phosphorylation. We believe that targeted in vivo GMF gene editing has a significant potential for developing a unique and novel AD therapy.

Upregulation of miR-132 contributes to the pathophysiology of COPD via targeting SOCS5

The role of microRNAs has been recently identified in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to examine the role of miR-132 in the pathophysiology of COPD and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-132 in COPD. MiR-132 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 5 (SOCS5) mRNA expression were detected by qRT-PCR. The number of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. SOCS5 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein levels were determined by western blot. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations were measured by ELISA. MiR-132 expression was up-regulated in the serum from COPD patients and smokers compared with nonsmoker controls. The number of CD8⁺ T cells was significantly increased in the serum from COPD patients and smokers. MiR-132 expression was negatively correlated with FEV₁/FVC%, and positively correlated with CD8⁺ T cells (%). MiR-132 overexpression repressed SOCS5 expression via directly targeting SOCS5 3'UTR in human monocyte-like cells (THP-1), which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. MiR-132 overexpression increased EGFR protein levels and the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) in THP-1 cells, and these effects were attenuated by enforced expression of SOCS5. Further, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) treatment up-regulated miR-132 expression, down-regulated SOCS5 expression, and increased inflammatory cytokines levels, which was attenuated by miR-132 knockdown in THP-1 cells. Consistent findings were also found in the human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Collectively, our data implicated that miR-132 may promote inflammation in THP-1 and BEAS-2B cells at least via targeting SOCS5 in COPD.

Potential Role of miRNAs as Theranostic Biomarkers of Epilepsy

Epilepsy includes a group of disorders of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures. Although familial epilepsy has a genetic component and heritability, the etiology of the majority of non-familial epilepsies has no known associated genetic mutations. In epilepsy, recent epigenetic profiles have highlighted a possible role of microRNAs in its pathophysiology. In particular, molecular profiling identifies a significant number of microRNAs (miRNAs) altered in epileptic hippocampus of both animal models and human tissues. In this review, analyzing molecular profiles of different animal models of epilepsy, we identified a group of 20 miRNAs commonly altered in different epilepsy-animal models. As emerging evidences highlighted the poor overlap between signatures of animal model tissues and human samples, we focused our analysis on miRNAs, circulating in human biofluids, with a principal role in epilepsy hallmarks, and we identified a group of 8 diagnostic circulating miRNAs. We discussed the functional role of these 8 miRNAs in the epilepsy hallmarks. A few of them have also been proposed as therapeutic molecules for epilepsy treatment, revealing a great potential for miRNAs as theranostic molecules in epilepsy.