LINC02288 promotes chondrocyte apoptosis and inflammation through miR-374a-3p targeting RTN3

miRNA expression signatures induced by pasteurella multocida infection in goats lung

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and are involved in bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we investigated the function of miRNAs in the regulation of host responses to Pasteurella multocida infection. Using next-generation sequencing, we analyzed miRNA expression pattern and identified differentially expressed miRNAs in Pasteurella multocida-infected goat lungs. In addition, we investigated the function of differentially expressed miRNAs andtheir targeted signaling pathways in bacterial infection processes. The results showed that Pasteurella multocida infection led to 69 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs, including 28 known annotated miRNAs with miR-497-3p showing the most significant difference. Gene target prediction and functional enrichment analyses showed that the target genes were mainly involved in cell proliferation, regulation of the cellular metabolic process, positive regulation of cellular process, cellular senescence, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway and infection-related pathways. In conclusion, these data provide a new perspective on the roles of miRNAs in Pasteurella multocida infection.

Roles of long noncoding RNAs in human inflammatory diseases

Chemokines, cytokines, and inflammatory cells mediate the onset and progression of many diseases through the induction of an inflammatory response. LncRNAs have emerged as important regulators of gene expression and signaling pathways. Increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs are key players in the inflammatory response, making it a potential therapeutic target for various diseases. From the perspective of lncRNAs and inflammatory factors, we summarized the expression level and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in human inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, sepsis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, acute lung injury, diabetic retinopathy, and Parkinson's disease. We also summarized the functions of lncRNAs in the macrophages polarization and discussed the potential applications of lncRNAs in human inflammatory diseases. Although our understanding of lncRNAs is still in its infancy, these data will provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of lncRNAs.

Noncoding RNAs in skeletal development and disorders

Protein-encoding genes only constitute less than 2% of total human genomic sequences, and 98% of genetic information was previously referred to as "junk DNA". Meanwhile, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) consist of approximately 60% of the transcriptional output of human cells. Thousands of ncRNAs have been identified in recent decades, and their essential roles in the regulation of gene expression in diverse cellular pathways associated with fundamental cell processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism, have been extensively investigated. Furthermore, the gene regulation networks they form modulate gene expression in normal development and under pathological conditions. In this review, we integrate current information about the classification, biogenesis, and function of ncRNAs and how these ncRNAs support skeletal development through their regulation of critical genes and signaling pathways in vivo. We also summarize the updated knowledge of ncRNAs involved in common skeletal diseases and disorders, including but not limited to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration, by highlighting their roles established from in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo studies.

Advances in Research on the Regulatory Roles of lncRNAs in Osteoarthritic Cartilage

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative bone and joint disease that can lead to disability and severely affect the quality of life of patients. However, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. It is currently believed that articular cartilage lesions are an important marker of the onset and development of osteoarthritis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of multifunctional regulatory RNAs that are involved in various physiological functions. There are many differentially expressed lncRNAs between osteoarthritic and normal cartilage tissues that play multiple roles in the pathogenesis of OA. Here, we reviewed lncRNAs that have been reported to play regulatory roles in the pathological changes associated with osteoarthritic cartilage and their potential as biomarkers and a therapeutic target in OA to further elucidate the pathogenesis of OA and provide insights for the diagnosis and treatment of OA.

RNA-Seq Reveals the mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs Expression Profile of Knee Joint Synovial Tissue in Osteoarthritis Patients

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease common in the elderly population and imposes significant health and economic burden. Total joint replacement is the only currently available treatment but does not prevent cartilage degeneration. The molecular mechanism of OA, especially the role of inflammation in disease progression, is incompletely understood. We collected knee joint synovial tissue samples of eight OA patients and two patients with popliteal cysts (controls), measured the expression levels of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in these tissues by RNA-seq, and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and key pathways. In the OA group, 343 mRNAs, 270 lncRNAs, and 247 miRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 232 mRNAs, 109 lncRNAs, and 157 miRNAs were significantly downregulated. mRNAs potentially targeted by lncRNAs were predicted. Nineteen overlapped miRNAs were screened based on our sample data and GSE 143514 data. Pathway enrichment and functional annotation analyses showed that the inflammation-related transcripts CHST11, ALDH1A2, TREM1, IL-1β, IL-8, CCL5, LIF, miR-146a-5p, miR-335-5p, lncRNA GAS5, LINC02288, and LOC101928134 were differentially expressed. In this study, inflammation-related DEGs and non-coding RNAs were identified in synovial samples, suggesting that competing endogenous RNAs have a role in OA. TREM1, LIF, miR146-5a, and GAS5 were identified to be OA-related genes and potential regulatory pathways. This research helps elucidate the pathogenesis of OA and identify novel therapeutic targets for this disorder.

Epigenetic Regulation in Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated disease with both hereditary and environmental causes. Despite an increase in reports of possible OA risk loci, it has become clear that genetics is not the sole cause of osteoarthritis. Epigenetics, which can be triggered by environmental influences and result in transcriptional alterations, may have a role in OA pathogenesis. The majority of recent research on the epigenetics of OA has been focused on DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. However, this study will explore epigenetic regulation in OA at the present stage. How genetics, environmental variables, and epigenetics interact will be researched, shedding light for future studies. Their possible interaction and control processes open up new avenues for the development of innovative osteoarthritis treatment and diagnostic techniques.

Circ_0043947 contributes to interleukin 1β-induced injury in chondrocytes by sponging miR-671-5p to up-regulate RTN3 expression in osteoarthritis pathology

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease featured by articular cartilage degeneration and damage. Accumulating evidence have demonstrated the pivotal regulatory roles of circular RNAs in OA pathology. However, the role of circ_0043947 in OA progression and its associated mechanism remain largely unknown.

Methods

The expression of RNA and protein was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell proliferation was analyzed by 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay and flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to analyze the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were performed to confirm the target interaction between microRNA-671-5p (miR-671-5p) and circ_0043947 or reticulon 3 (RTN3).

Results

Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) stimulation up-regulated the expression of circ_0043947 in chondrocytes. IL-1β treatment restrained the viability and proliferation and induced the apoptosis, extracellular matrix degradation and inflammatory response of chondrocytes partly by up-regulating circ_0043947. Circ_0043947 interacted with miR-671-5p, and miR-671-5p silencing largely reversed circ_0043947 knockdown-mediated protective effects in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. miR-671-5p interacted with the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of RTN3. miR-671-5p overexpression attenuated IL-1β-induced injury in chondrocytes, and these protective effects were largely overturned by the overexpression of RTN3. Circ_0043947 acted as a molecular sponge for miR-671-5p to up-regulate RTN3 level in chondrocytes.

Conclusion

Circ_0043947 silencing alleviated IL-1β-induced injury in chondrocytes by targeting miR-671-5p/RTN3 axis.

Long noncoding RNA Kcnq1ot1 prompts lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by microRNA-7a-5p/Rtn3 axis

Background

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-regulated mechanism in acute lung injury (ALI) has attracted special interests in study researches. We planned to disclose whether KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (Kcnq1ot1) is involved in ALI and its mechanism.

Methods

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI model was established in mice. Kcnq1ot1, microRNA (miR)-7a-5p and Reticulon 3 (Rtn3) levels were measured in lung tissues of mice. The vector that changed Kcnq1ot1, miR-7a-5p and Rtn3 expression was injected into LPS-treated mice, and pathological damage, fibrosis, apoptosis and inflammatory response were subsequently examined in lung tissues. The relation between Kcnq1ot1 and miR-7a-5p, and that between miR-7a-5p and Rtn3 were identified.

Results

Kcnq1ot1 and Rtn3 expression increased while miR-7a-5p expression decreased in LPS-treated mice. Reduced Kcnq1ot1 or elevated miR-7a-5p alleviated pathological damage, fibrosis, apoptosis and inflammatory response in ALI mice, while overexpressed Rtn3 worsened ALI in mice. Downregulation of Rtn3 reversed the exacerbation of miR-7a-5p downregulation in ALI mice. Kcnq1ot1 competitively bound to miR-7a-5p and miR-7a-5p negatively mediated Rtn3 expression.

Conclusion

Our experiments evidence that silencing Kcnq1ot1 upregulates miR-7a-5p to suppress Rtn3 expression, thereby diminishing LPS-induced ALI.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40001-022-00653-8.

Recent Advances in Pharmacological Intervention of Osteoarthritis: A Biological Aspect

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease in the musculoskeletal system with a relatively high incidence and disability rate in the elderly. It is characterized by the degradation of articular cartilage, inflammation of the synovial membrane, and abnormal structure in the periarticular and subchondral bones. Although progress has been made in uncovering the molecular mechanism, the etiology of OA is still complicated and unclear. Nevertheless, there is no treatment method that can effectively prevent or reverse the deterioration of cartilage and bone structure. In recent years, in the field of pharmacology, research focus has shifted to disease prevention and early treatment rather than disease modification in OA. Biologic agents become more and more attractive as their direct or indirect intervention effects on the initiation or development of OA. In this review, we will discuss a wide spectrum of biologic agents ranging from DNA, noncoding RNA, exosome, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), to protein. We searched for key words such as OA, DNA, gene, RNA, exosome, PRP, protein, and so on. From the pharmacological aspect, stem cell therapy is a very special technique, which is not included in this review. The literatures ranging from January 2016 to August 2021 were included and summarized. In this review, we aim to help readers have a complete and precise understanding of the current pharmacological research progress in the intervention of OA from the biological aspect and provide an indication for the future translational studies.

The Synergistic Effects of Astragalus mongholicus and Salvia miltiorrhiza on Coronary Heart Disease Identified by Network Pharmacology and Experiment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Two Chinese herbal medicines Huang Qi (HQ, Astragalus mongholicus) and Dan Shen (DS, Salvia miltiorrhiza) are often combined to treat coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to identify the underlying synergistic effects and mechanisms of HQ and DS against CHD.

METHODS

The active components and targets of HQ and DS, CHD-related genes, and the biological progression were analysed by network pharmacology. The myocardial infarction (MI) rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Cardiac function was detected by ultrasonic electrocardiography. The MI size, fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, lipid metabolism, blood viscosity, and coagulation indexes were analysed by histological staining or chemical methods, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 170 shared and specific seed genes of HQ and DS against CHD were identified. The shared and specific biological processes of HQ and DS against CHD were obtained. The LVEF and LVFS values significantly increased, the myocardium infarct size and fibrosis significantly decreased, the values of lipid metabolism indexes and blood viscosity indexes significantly reduced in the HQ + DS treatment group vs HQ or DS single treatment (P < 0.05); the LVEDd, LVEDs, and the CSA values significantly reduced in HQ single and HQ + DS treatment groups vs MI group (P < 0.05); the coagulation index (APTT, PT, TT, and FIB) values decreased significantly in the DS single and HQ + DS treatment groups vs MI group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In MI rats, HQ and DS exhibited synergistic effects on improving cardiac function, reducing MI size, fibrosis, regulating hyperlipidaemia, and maintaining circulatory system homeostasis; HQ had the specific advantage of alleviating cardiac remodelling; DS had the specific advantage of regulating hypercoagulability. This study revealed that HQ and DS not only exerted synergistic effects but also exhibited complementary effects on CHD.