miR-495 targets ROCK1 to inhibit lipopolysaccharides-induced WI-38 cells apoptosis and inflammation

Reduced Expression of miR-146a Potentiates Intestinal Inflammation following Alcohol and Burn Injury

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression. Within the intestinal epithelium, miRNAs play a critical role in gut homeostasis, and aberrant miRNA expression has been implicated in various disorders associated with intestinal inflammation and barrier disruption. In this study, we sought to profile changes in intestinal epithelial cell miRNA expression after alcohol and burn injury and elucidate their impact on inflammation and barrier integrity. Using a mouse model of acute ethanol intoxication and burn injury, we found that small intestinal epithelial cell expression of miR-146a is significantly decreased 1 d following injury. Using in vitro studies, we show that reduced miR-146a promotes intestinal epithelial cell inflammation by promoting p38 MAPK signaling via increased levels of its target TRAF6 (TNFR-associated factor 6). Furthermore, we demonstrate that in vivo miR-146a overexpression significantly inhibits intestinal inflammation 1 d following combined injury and potentially supports intestinal barrier homeostasis. Overall, this study highlights the important impact that miRNA expression can have on intestinal homeostasis and the valuable potential of harnessing aberrant miRNA expression as a therapeutic target to control intestinal inflammation.

Sinomenine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and apoptosis of WI-38 cells by reducing glutathione S-transferase M1 expression

Pediatric pneumonia is an infectious lung disease with high morbidity and mortality. Sinomenine, an alkaloid extracted from Caulis Sinomenii, exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is widely used for the establishment of an inflammatory model. This research aimed to explore the influences of sinomenine on LPS-caused inflammatory injuries in fetal lung WI-38 cells. WI-38 cells were treated with LPS to establish a cellular model of pediatric pneumonia. Cell viability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity assays. Inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation levels were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) expression was detected by western blotting. Results showed that LPS reduced WI-38 cell viability, and sinomenine protected cells against LPS-induced viability reduction. Sinomenine concentration-dependently attenuated LPS-induced inflammation by reducing TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1, and increasing IL-10 levels. Sinomenine mitigated LPS-induced apoptosis. GSTM1 was screened by matching the targets of sinomenine and pediatric pneumonia. GSTM1 was upregulated in LPS-treated WI-38 cells, and this effect was attenuated after sinomenine treatment. GSTM1 was upstream of NF-κB pathway. Overexpression of GSTM1 reversed the suppressive functions of sinomenine on LPS-stimulated inflammation and apoptosis. Overall, sinomenine attenuates inflammation and apoptosis in WI-38 cells stimulated by LPS via inhibiting GSTM1 expression, indicating the therapeutic potential of sinomenine in pediatric pneumonia.

lncRNA NEAT1 mediates LPS-induced pyroptosis of BEAS-2B cells via targeting miR-26a-5p/ROCK1 axis

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an adverse disease of the respiratory system, and one of its prevalent causes is sepsis induction. Cell pyroptosis facilitates the progression of ALI and lncRNAs play critical roles in ALI. Thus, this research seeks to investigate the specific mechanism of NEAT1 in sepsis-ALI.BEAS-2B cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to construct a cell model of sepsis-induced ALI. The gene and protein expression were assessed using qRT-PCR and western blot. Cell viability was identified by CCK-8. Cell death was discovered using PI staining. The secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 was examined using ELISA. The interconnections among NEAT1, miR-26a-5p, and ROCK1 were confirmed using starbase, luciferase assay, and RIP.LPS treatment augmented NEAT1 and ROCK1 levels while mitigating miR-26a-5p level in BEAS-2B cells. Additionally, LPS treatment facilitated cell death and cell pyroptosis, whereas NEAT1 silencing could reverse these effects in BEAS-2B cells. Mechanistically, NEAT1 positively mediated ROCK1 expression by targeting miR-26a-5p. Furthermore, miR-26a-5p inhibitor offset NEAT1 depletion-mediated suppressive effects on cell death and cell pyroptosis. ROCK1 upregulation decreased the inhibitory impacts produced by miR-26a-5p overexpression on cell death and cell pyroptosis. Our outcomes demonstrated NEAT1 could reinforce LPS-induced cell death and cell pyroptosis by repressing the miR-26a-5p/ROCK1 axis, thereby worsening ALI caused by sepsis. Our data indicated NEAT1, miR-26a-5p, and ROCK1 might be biomarkers and target genes for relieving sepsis-induced ALI.

Implication of non-coding RNA-mediated ROCK1 regulation in various diseases

Rho Associated Coiled-Coil Containing Protein Kinase 1 (ROCK1) is a protein serine/threonine kinase which is activated upon binding with the GTP-bound form of Rho. This protein can modulate actin-myosin contraction and stability. Moreover, it has a crucial role in the regulation of cell polarity. Therefore, it participates in modulation of cell morphology, regulation of expression of genes, cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptotic processes as well as oncogenic processes. Recent studies have highlighted interactions between ROCK1 and several non-coding RNAs, namely microRNAs, circular RNAs and long non-coding RNAs. Such interactions can be a target of medications. In fact, it seems that the interactions are implicated in therapeutic response to several medications. In the current review, we aimed to explain the impact of these interactions in the pathoetiology of cancers as well as non-malignant disorders.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) promotes the inflammation and apoptosis of otitis media with effusion through targeting microRNA (miR)-495 and activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a vital role in human inflammatory diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the function of lncRNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in otitis media with effusion (OME). The mRNA levels of NEAT1 and miR-495 were measured by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of p38 MAPK were detected by western blot. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were examined by ELISA. CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were used to evaluate the cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. The interaction between NEAT1 and miR-495 was determined by luciferase reporter and RIP assays. NEAT1 was highly expressed in OME, and silencing of NEAT1 facilitated the cell proliferation and suppressed levels of inflammatory cytokines and cell apoptosis in LPS-induced HMEECs. Moreover, miR-495 was confirmed as a downstream target of NEAT1. Functional assays revealed that NEAT1 promoted the OME by targeting miR-495. It was further demonstrated that NEAT1 could activate the p38 MAPK signaling pathway by regulating miR-495, and the p38 MAPK inhibitor restored the effects of NEAT1 overexpression on the inflammation levels, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Our study revealed that lncRNA NEAT1 served as a ceRNA to activate p38 MAPK signaling by targeting miR-495 in OME, which may offer a new target for OME treatment.

Circ-UQCRC2 aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced injury in human bronchial epithelioid cells via targeting miR-495-3p/MYD88-mediated inflammatory response and oxidative stress

Infantile pneumonia is a common inflammatory disease with the infections of various pathogens in lower respiratory tracts. Here, the role and working mechanism of circular RNA (circRNA) ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 2 (circ-UQCRC2; hsa_circ_0038467) in infantile pneumonia were investigated. Cell viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory response were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell oxidative stress was analyzed by measuring the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot assay were performed to determine the expression of RNAs and proteins. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were performed to confirm the interaction between microRNA-495-3p (miR-495-3p) and circ-UQCRC2 or myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MYD88). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment suppressed the viability while induced the apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress of 16HBE cells in a dose-dependent manner. LPS exposure dose-dependently up-regulated the expression of circ-UQCRC2 in 16HBE cells. Circ-UQCRC2 absence attenuated LPS-induced injury in 16HBE cells. miR-495-3p was a target of circ-UQCRC2, and circ-UQCRC2 silencing-mediated protective effects in LPS-induced 16HBE cells were partly reversed by anti-miR-495-3p. MYD88 was a target of miR-495-3p, and MYD88 overexpression partly counteracted miR-495-3p accumulation-mediated influences in 16HBE cells upon LPS exposure. Circ-UQCRC2 interference decreased the protein expression of MYD88 partly by up-regulating miR-495-3p in LPS-induced 16HBE cells. In conclusion, circ-UQCRC2 contributed to LPS-induced injury of 16HBE cells by targeting miR-495-3p/MYD88 signalling-mediated inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

LncRNA CRNDE correlates negatively with miR-33a and miR-495 and positively with inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic children

Objectives

It is reported that long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) targets microRNA (miR)‐33a, miR‐181a and miR‐495 to regulate inflammation process, while few studies report their clinical application for paediatric asthma management. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the interaction of lncRNA CRNDE with miR‐33a, miR‐181a and miR‐495, as well as their correlation with inflammation, exacerbation risk and severity in paediatric patients with asthma.

Methods

Asthmatic exacerbation children (N = 65), asthmatic controlled children (N = 65) and controls (N = 65) were recruited. LncRNA CRNDE, miR‐33a, miR‐181a and miR‐495 expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by RT‐qPCR. Besides, serum inflammatory cytokines (including TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐17) were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

LncRNA CRNDE, miR‐33a and miR‐495 expressions were different, while miR‐181a expression was similar among asthmatic exacerbation children, asthmatic controlled children and controls. Moreover, lncRNA CRNDE negatively correlated with miR‐33a and miR‐495 in asthmatic exacerbation children and asthmatic controlled children, but not in controls. Further analyses showed that lncRNA CRNDE positively correlated with TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐17 and exacerbation severity, while it negatively correlated with FEV₁/FVC in asthmatic exacerbation children. Meanwhile, miR‐33a, miR‐181a and miR‐495 all negatively correlated with some individual inflammatory cytokines, while only miR‐33a negatively correlated with exacerbation severity in asthmatic exacerbation children.

Conclusion

LncRNA CRNDE correlates negatively with miR‐33a and miR‐495 and positively with inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic children.

Knockdown of lncRNA LUCAT1 attenuates sepsis‑induced myocardial cell injury by sponging miR-642a

The heart is one of the most common organs involved in sepsis-induced organ dysfunction and about 50% septic patients complicated with myocardial injury. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced cardiac damage remain unclear. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of miR-642a on sepsis-induced cardiac injury in vitro and explore the possible lncRNA-microRNA mechanism. We first downloaded GSE101639 to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in sepsis. The expression of miR-642a in LPS-induced H9C2 cells was detected by qRT-PCR. MTT assay, cell migration, flow cytometry analysis, ELISA, qRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis were applied to evaluating the effect of miR-642a mimic on LPS-induced H9C2 cells. The bioinformatics analysis and the rescue experiment were devoted to the underlying mechanism. The results showed miR-642a expression was decreased in septic patients and LPS-induced H9C2 cells. Besides, MiR-642a mimic promoted cell viability and migration, inhibited cell apoptosis of LPS-induced H9C2 cells. Bioinformatics analysis showed miR-642a directly targets with 3'-UTR of ROCK1. Moreover, LUCAT1 regulated ROCK1 expression act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-642a. Our data demonstrated that lncRNA LUCAT1 could function via sponging miR-642a to regulate ROCK1 expression in LPS-induced H9C2 cells. And knockdown of lncRNA LUCAT1 could suppress LPS-induced cardiac injury in vitro.

Transcriptomic Analysis Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Hanchuan Zupa Granules in Alleviating Asthma in Rat

Objective

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of HCZP treatment of asthma.

Materials and Methods

Thirty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal, asthma, and HCZP groups (n = 10). The asthma model was sensitized by 1 mg ovalbumin (OVA)/aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)₃mixture and then challenged with 1% aerosolized OVA for four weeks. Rats in the HCZP group received 10.08 g/kg/d HCZP for four weeks during OVA challenge. Then, lung tissues of rats in each group were collected for RNA sequencing. Moreover, the expression level of some core genes was detected by using western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Inflammatory cell infiltration and pathological damage of the lungs improved in the HCZP group. Compared with the asthma group (0.049 ± 0.002 mm²/mm; 0.036 ± 0.006 mm²/mm; and 0.014 ± 0.001 mm²/mm), total wall thickness (0.042 ± 0.001 mm²/mm), inner wall thickness (0.013 ± 0.001 mm²/mm), and smooth muscle layer thickness (0.012 ± 0.001 mm²/mm) significantly decreased in the HCZP group. Bioinformatics analysis showed that hub genes such as bradykinin receptor B2 (Bdkrb2) and CD4 molecule (Cd4) had different expression patterns between model and HCZP groups. Two transcription factors, forkhead box Q1 (Foxq1) and nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (Nfatc2), served important regulatory roles in asthma. Compared with the model group, Bdkrb2 protein expression increased and Nfatc2 protein expression decreased in the HCZP group. Discussion and Conclusion. HCZP could alleviate asthma via regulating the expression of several hub genes, which might serve as therapeutic targets for asthma. However, the mechanism of these genes will be studied in the future.

Circ_0114428 Regulates Sepsis-Induced Kidney Injury by Targeting the miR-495-3p/CRBN Axis

Septic acute kidney injury (AKI) is considered as a severe and common complication of sepsis, with complex pathogenesis. Recently, Circular RNA (circRNA) is considered to be implicated in this disease. This study was intended to elucidate the role of circ_0114428 and the potential mechanism of action in sepsis-induced kidney injury. Sepsis-induced kidney injury cell model was established in human kidney 2 (HK2) cells by the treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The expression of circ_0114428, CRBN mRNA, and miR-495-3p was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The inflammatory response was monitored according to the release of proinflammatory factors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry assay. The activities of oxidative indicators were examined using the corresponding kits. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins and CRBN protein were quantified by western blot. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was performed to ensure whether circ_0114428 could interact with Argonaute 2 (Ago2) protein. The potential miRNAs targeted by circ_0114428 were predicted by the bioinformatics tool and screened by RNA pull-down assay. The interaction between miR-495-3p and circ_0114428 or CRBN was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The results showed that circ_0114428 and CRBN were upregulated in septic AKI serum specimens and LPS-induced HK2 cells. Circ_0114428 knockdown attenuated LPS-induced apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and ER stress, which were rescued by CRBN overexpression. Further analysis revealed that miR-495-3p was targeted by circ_0114428 and directly bound to CRBN, and circ_0114428 regulated CRBN expression by sponging miR-495-3p. Besides, miR-495-3p inhibition also reversed the effects of circ_0114428 knockdown. In conclusion, circ_00114428 knockdown attenuated LPS-induced HK2 cell injury by regulating CRBN expression via targeting miR-495-3p.