Reg3G gene expression in regenerating skeletal muscle and corresponding nerve

Identification of the hub susceptibility genes and related common transcription factors in the skeletal muscle of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its related complications contribute to the high morbidity and mortality in worldwide. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance plays a critical role in the onset of T2DM due to the decreasing in the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. T2DM is associated not only with the inherited factors but also with the noninherited factors. However, the susceptibility genes related with the two factors and the transcription factors (TF) regulating the susceptibility genes in skeletal muscle, which aggravate the development of T2DM were still ill-defined.

METHODS

In the present study, the expression profiles by the array of GSE25462 were retrieved from the GEO database. GEO2R was performed to validate the susceptibility differentially expressed genes (SDEG) in skeletal muscle of T2DM. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were conducted via The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was performed with the STRING.

RESULTS

With the performance of GEO2R, 229 SDEGs in skeletal muscle of T2DM were identified. The biological processes (BP) of SDEGs was enriched in the cellular response to UV-B most significantly. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the SDEGs were most significantly enriched in glycosaminoglycan degradation. 5 hub susceptibility genes (GPR84, CALCB, GCG, PTGDR, GNG8) in the skeletal muscle of T2DM were identified. Eventually, the common transcription factors regulating the hub susceptibility genes were identified by means of the online tool PROMO.

CONCLUSIONS

Five hub susceptibility genes (GPR84, CALCB, GCG, PTGDR, GNG8) in the skeletal muscle of T2DM and the common transcription factors were identified. The outputs would provide new clues on the novel potential targets and the therapeutic strategies for treating T2DM and its related diseases.

Upregulation of Reg IV and Hgf mRNAs by Intermittent Hypoxia via Downregulation of microRNA-499 in Cardiomyocytes

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is characterized by recurrent episodes of oxygen desaturation and reoxygenation (intermittent hypoxia [IH]), and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and insulin resistance/Type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanisms linking IH stress and CVD remain elusive. We exposed rat H9c2 and mouse P19.CL6 cardiomyocytes to experimental IH or normoxia for 24 h to analyze the mRNA expression of several cardiomyokines. We found that the mRNA levels of regenerating gene IV (Reg IV) and hepatocyte growth factor (Hgf) in H9c2 and P19.CL6 cardiomyocytes were significantly increased by IH, whereas the promoter activities of the genes were not increased. A target mRNA search of microRNA (miR)s revealed that rat and mouse mRNAs have a potential target sequence for miR-499. The miR-499 level of IH-treated cells was significantly decreased compared to normoxia-treated cells. MiR-499 mimic and non-specific control RNA (miR-499 mimic NC) were introduced into P19.CL6 cells, and the IH-induced upregulation of the genes was abolished by introduction of the miR-499 mimic, but not by the miR-499 mimic NC. These results indicate that IH stress downregulates the miR-499 in cardiomyocytes, resulting in increased levels of Reg IV and Hgf mRNAs, leading to the protection of cardiomyocytes in SAS patients.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) deficiency enhances intramembranous osteogenesis following stress fracture in mice

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is highly upregulated in response to skeletal injury, suggesting it plays a role in the inflammatory phase of fracture repair. However, the impact of IL-6 on successful repair remains incompletely defined. Therefore, we investigated the role of IL-6 in two models of fracture repair (full fracture and stress fracture) using 12-week old IL-6 global knockout mice (IL-6 KO) and wild type (WT) littermate controls. Callus morphology and mineral density 14 days after full femur fracture did not differ between IL-6 knockout mice and controls. In contrast, IL-6 KO mice had an enhanced bone response 7 days after ulnar stress fracture compared to WT, with increased total callus volume (p = 0.020) and callus bone volume (p = 0.045). IL-6 KO did not alter the recruitment of immune cells (Gr-1 or F4/80 positive) to the stress fracture callus. IL-6 KO also did not alter the number of osteoclasts in the stress fracture callus. Using RNA-seq, we identified differentially expressed genes in stress fracture vs. contralateral control ulnae, and observed that IL-6 KO resulted in only modest alterations to the gene expression response to stress fracture (SFx). Wnt1 was more highly upregulated in IL-6 KO SFx callus at both day 1 (fold change 12.5 in KO vs. 5.7 in WT) and day 3 (fold change 4.7 in KO vs. 1.9 in WT). Finally, using tibial compression to induce bone formation without bone injury, we found that IL-6 KO directly impacted osteoblast function, increasing the propensity for woven bone formation. In summary, we report that IL-6 knockout enhanced formation of callus and bone following stress fracture injury, likely through direct action on the osteoblast's ability to produce woven bone. This suggests a novel role of IL-6 as a suppressor of intramembranous bone formation.

Okamoto model for necrosis and its expansions, CD38-cyclic ADP-ribose signal system for intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and Reg (Regenerating gene protein)-Reg receptor system for cell regeneration

In pancreatic islet cell culture models and animal models, we studied the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes. The diabetogenic agents, alloxan and streptozotocin, caused DNA strand breaks, which in turn activated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase/synthetase (PARP) to deplete NAD+, thereby inhibiting islet β-cell functions such as proinsulin synthesis and ultimately leading to β-cell necrosis. Radical scavengers protected against the formation of DNA strand breaks and inhibition of proinsulin synthesis. Inhibitors of PARP prevented the NAD+ depletion, inhibition of proinsulin synthesis and β-cell death. These findings led to the proposed unifying concept for β-cell damage and its prevention (the Okamoto model). The model met one proof with PARP knockout animals and was further extended by the discovery of cyclic ADP-ribose as the second messenger for Ca2+ mobilization in glucose-induced insulin secretion and by the identification of Reg (Regenerating gene) for β-cell regeneration. Physiological and pathological events found in pancreatic β-cells have been observed in other cells and tissues.

Genome-Wide Analysis Reveals Human-Mediated Introgression from Western Pigs to Indigenous Chinese Breeds

Genetic variations introduced via introgression from Western to Chinese pigs have contributed to the performance of Chinese breeds in traits such as growth rate and feed conversion efficiency. However, little is known about the underlying genomic changes that occurred during introgression and the types of traits affected by introgression. To address these questions, 525 animals were characterized using an SNP array to detect genomic regions that had been introgressed from European to indigenous Chinese breeds. The functions of genes located in introgressed regions were also investigated. Our data show that five out of six indigenous Chinese breeds show evidence of introgression from Western pigs, and eight introgressed genome regions are shared by five of the Chinese breeds. A region located on chr13: 12.8-13.1 M was affected by both introgression and artificial selection, and this region contains the glucose absorption related gene, OXSM, and the sensory related gene, NGLY. The results provide a foundation for understanding introgression from Western to indigenous Chinese pigs.

A morphological and biochemical evaluation of the effects of quercetin on experimental sciatic nerve damage in rats

The present study evaluated the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of quercetin in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury using histopathological, morphometric and biochemical methods. A total of 48 male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 10-12 weeks old were randomly divided into eight groups, consisting of two sham groups (S-7, S-28), three quercetin-treated groups (Q-7, Q-28; 200 mg/kg/7 days), trauma (T-7, T-28; 1 min sciatic nerve crush injury) and three trauma+quercetin groups (T+Q-7, T+Q-28; trauma+quercetin 200 mg/kg/7 days). Rats were sacrificed on day 7 or 28. Oxidant-antioxidant biochemical parameters in nerve tissues from all groups were analyzed using histopathological staining with toluidine blue and Masson's trichrome. DNA fragmentations were identified using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling in cells from each tissue sample. Degeneration of the axons and myelin sheath, the breakdown of the concentric lamellar structure of the myelin sheath and axonal swelling were observed in groups T-7 and T-28. Myelin sheath thicknesses, nerve fiber diameters and the number of myelinated nerve fibers decreased, while the apoptotic index (AI) increased in the T-7 and T-28 groups. However, it was observed that nerve regeneration began in the T+Q-7 and T+Q-28 groups compared with the sham groups, together with the healing of cellular damage and axonal structure and a decrease in the AI. Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity did not differ significantly between the T-7 and S-7 groups. However, catalase activity significantly decreased in the T-28 group when compared with the sham 7 day group. Tissue malondialdehyde levels significantly increased, while serum catalase activity increased in the T+Q-7 group compared with the T-7 group. These results suggest that quercetin has beneficial effects on nerve regeneration and may shorten the healing period in crush-type sciatic nerve injuries.

Reg Gene Expression in Periosteum after Fracture and Its In Vitro Induction Triggered by IL-6

The periosteum is a thin membrane that surrounds the outer surface of bones and participates in fracture healing. However, the molecular signals that trigger/initiate the periosteal reaction are not well established. We fractured the rat femoral bone at the diaphysis and fixed it with an intramedullary inserted wire, and the expression of regenerating gene (Reg) I, which encodes a tissue regeneration/growth factor, was analyzed. Neither bone/marrow nor muscle showed RegI gene expression before or after the fracture. By contrast, the periosteum showed an elevated expression after the fracture, thereby confirming the localization of Reg I expression exclusively in the periosteum around the fractured areas. Expression of the Reg family increased after the fracture, followed by a decrease to basal levels by six weeks, when the fracture had almost healed. In vitro cultures of periosteal cells showed no Reg I expression, but the addition of IL-6 significantly induced Reg I gene expression. The addition of IL-6 also increased the cell number and reduced pro-apoptotic gene expression of Bim. The increased cell proliferation and reduction in Bim gene expression were abolished by transfection with Reg I siRNA, indicating that these IL-6-dependent effects require the Reg I gene expression. These results indicate the involvement of the IL-6/Reg pathway in the osteogenic response of the periosteum, which leads to fracture repair.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 target regenerating islet-derived 3γ expression is upregulated in cardiac inflammatory response in the rat heart

Regenerating islet‐derived 3γ (Reg3γ) is a multifunctional protein, associated with various tissue injuries and inflammatory states. Since chronic inflammation is characteristics also for heart failure, the aim of this study was to characterize Reg3γ expression in cardiac inflammatory conditions. Reg3γ expression was studied in experimental rat models of myocardial infarction (MI) and pressure overload in vivo. For cell culture studies neonatal rat cardiac myocytes (NRCMs) were used. In addition, adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer of upstream mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 3b and p38α MAPK in vivo and in vitro was performed. Reg3γ mRNA (12.8‐fold, P < 0.01) and protein (5.8‐fold, P < 0.001) levels were upregulated during the postinfarction remodeling at day 1 after MI, and angiotensin II (Ang II) markedly increased Reg3γ mRNA levels from 6 h to 2 weeks. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the Ang II‐induced expression of Reg3γ was localized into the cardiac fibroblasts and myofibroblasts of the proliferating connective tissue in the heart. Stretching and treatments with endothelin‐1, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and fibroblast growth factor‐1 increased Reg3γ mRNA levels in NRCMs. SB203580, a selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, markedly attenuated LPS and mechanical stretch‐induced upregulation of Reg3γ gene expression. Moreover, combined overexpression of MKK3bE and WT p38α increased Reg3γ gene expression in cultured cardiomyocytes in vitro and in the rat heart in vivo. Our study shows that cardiac stress activates Reg3γ expression and p38 MAPK is an upstream regulator of Reg3γ gene expression in heart. Altogether our data suggest Reg3γ is associated with cardiac inflammatory signaling.

Factors regulating capillary remodeling in a reversible model of inflammatory corneal angiogenesis

Newly formed microcapillary networks arising in adult organisms by angiogenic and inflammatory stimuli contribute to pathologies such as corneal and retinal blindness, tumor growth, and metastasis. Therapeutic inhibition of pathologic angiogenesis has focused on targeting the VEGF pathway, while comparatively little attention has been given to remodeling of the new microcapillaries into a stabilized, functional, and persistent vascular network. Here, we used a novel reversible model of inflammatory angiogenesis in the rat cornea to investigate endogenous factors rapidly invoked to remodel, normalize and regress microcapillaries as part of the natural response to regain corneal avascularity. Rapid reversal of an inflammatory angiogenic stimulus suppressed granulocytic activity, enhanced recruitment of remodelling macrophages, induced capillary intussusception, and enriched pathways and processes involving immune cells, chemokines, morphogenesis, axonal guidance, and cell motility, adhesion, and cytoskeletal functions. Whole transcriptome gene expression analysis revealed suppression of numerous inflammatory and angiogenic factors and enhancement of endogenous inhibitors. Many of the identified genes function independently of VEGF and represent potentially new targets for molecular control of the critical process of microvascular remodeling and regression in the cornea.

Regenerating gene (REG) product and its potential clinical usage

INTRODUCTION

The regenerating gene (Reg) was identified in regenerating islets and its related genes were revealed to constitute the Reg gene family. Reg family proteins act as growth factors for several cells. Recently, autoimmunity against the Reg family proteins has been reported in several diseases. In addition, the Reg family genes were found to be expressed in a large number of cancers and to influence prognosis.

AREAS COVERED

The historical background and current view of the structure, function, and expression of Reg family genes/proteins and their physiological/pathological significance in several diseases are described. Based on the findings, the diagnostic/therapeutic potential of Reg family genes/proteins is also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Autoimmunity against Reg family proteins may be a new diagnostic marker and/or therapeutic target for immune-mediated diseases. Treatment aimed at the expansion of the β-cell mass by the Reg genes/proteins, combined with the abrogation of autoimmunity, constitutes a potential approach for the treatment of diabetes. Conversely, some cancer cells have gained the ability to overexpress the Reg genes/proteins, thereby enhancing their proliferative capacities, resulting in these cells having a considerable growth advantage. Thus, the Reg genes/proteins are expected to be a new prognostic marker in cancer and/or a future therapeutic target.