Detection of miRNAs

CircRNA_101491 regulated the radiation sensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas via sponging miR-125a-5p

BACKGROUND

At present, it has been found that many patients have acquired resistance to radiotherapy, which greatly reduces the effect of radiotherapy and further affects the prognosis. CircRNAs is involved in the regulation of radiosensitivity of many kinds of tumor cells. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to explore the regulatory effect of CircRNA_101491 on radiosensitivity of ESCC and its related mechanism.

METHODS

We established ESCC radiation-resistant cell line (KYSE150R cell) by gradient dose method, and tested the difference of KYSE150 between KYSE150R cell and parent cell in vitro. Then, after knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491, a series of in vitro experiments were conducted to verify the effects of CircRNA_101491 on the phenotype and radiosensitivity of KYSE150R cells, and further analyzed the related regulatory mechanism. In addition, we also used the model of transplanted tumor in nude mice to investigate the effect of CircRNA_101491 on the radiosensitivity of ESCC in vivo.

RESULTS

According to a series of in vitro experiments, we confirmed that KYSE150R cells lost the epithelial phenotype and obtained interstitial cell-like phenotype, and found that CircRNA_101491 was highly expressed in KYSE150R cells. In addition, we found that knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491 will lift the inhibition of miR-125a-5p, and then reverse the process of EMT, accelerate the process of apoptosis, thus play a role in radiosensitization. The in vivo experiment of transplanted tumor in nude mice also showed that knocking down the expression of CircRNA_101491 could enhance the radiosensitivity of ESCC.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we confirmed that interfering with the expression of CircRNA_101491 can relieve the inhibition of miR-125a-5p, thus reverse the process of interstitial phenotype, accelerate the process of apoptosis, and enhance the radiosensitivity of ESCC.

SERS detection platform based on a nucleic acid aptamer-functionalized Au nano-dodecahedron array for efficient simultaneous testing of colorectal cancer-associated microRNAs

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection platform was constructed based on Au nano-dodecahedrons (AuNDs) functionalized with nucleic acid aptamer-specific binding and self-assembly techniques. SERS labels were prepared by modifying Raman signaling molecules and complementary aptamer chains and were bound on the aptamer-functionalized AuNDs array. Using this protocol, the limits of detection (LODs) of miR-21 and miR-18a in the serum were 6.8 pM and 7.6 pM, respectively, and the detection time was 5 min. Additionally, miR-21 and miR-18a were detected in the serum of a mouse model of colorectal cancer. The results of this protocol were consistent with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). This method provides an efficient and rapid method for the simultaneous testing of miRNAs, which has great potential clinical value for the early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Simultaneous detection of dual microRNAs related to EV71 using ICP-MS based on metal nanoparticle labeling with hybridization chain reaction

BACKGROUND

Hand, foot, and mouth (HMFD) disease caused by enterovirus 71 (EV 71), is closely associated with severe clinical manifestations and can be deadly. Early detection of EV 71 can be achieved by detecting the increment in miR296 and miR16 in the serum. Using HCR to amplify signals and convert biological signals into metal nanoparticle signals detectable by ICP-MS is a detection method that can collect more accurate and reliable information, compared with traditional methods, in the detection of biological samples.

RESULTS

We described a strategy for the simultaneous detection of miR296 and miR16 by ICP-MS based on metal nanoparticles (NPs) labeling with HCR. Briefly, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and magnetic beads (MBs), as well as NPs and signal probes for miRNA (Sp-miR) were firstly conjugated via the streptavidin-biotin recognition system, constituting ssDNA-MBs and NPs-Sp-miR complex, respectively. The latter complex then hybridized with the former through HCR, generating the nanosensors for targets. Then, the targets were added and hybridized with ssDNA, and the HCR complex with NPs was released into the solution. Finally, the corresponding signals of the NPs were measured by ICP-MS. Results demonstrated that the developed method had good sensitivity and satisfactory selectivity and precision. Furthermore, when applied to biological samples with a complex matrix, the developed method also showed good recovery (88 % - 92 %) and reproducibility (RSD<10 %).

SIGNIFICANCE

This method contributes to the early diagnosis of HFMD and opens up ideas for the further development of high-throughput biomarker detection. The strategy has practical potential for miR296 and miR16 detection in biological samples and provides a promising tool for multiple miRNA detection.

MicroRNA-specific therapeutic targets and biomarkers of apoptosis following myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

MicroRNAs are single-stranded non-coding RNAs that participate in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, it is involved in the regulation of apoptosis after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. For example, the alteration of mitochondrial structure is facilitated by MicroRNA-1 through the regulation of apoptosis-related proteins, such as Bax and Bcl-2, thereby mitigating cardiomyocyte apoptosis. MicroRNA-21 not only modulates the expression of NF-κB to suppress inflammatory signals but also activates the PI3K/AKT pathway to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Overexpression of MicroRNA-133 attenuates reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppressed the oxidative stress response, thereby mitigating cellular apoptosis. MicroRNA-139 modulates the extrinsic death signal of Fas, while MicroRNA-145 regulates endoplasmic reticulum calcium overload, both of which exert regulatory effects on cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Therefore, the article categorizes the molecular mechanisms based on the three classical pathways and multiple signaling pathways of apoptosis. It summarizes the targets and pathways of MicroRNA therapy for ischemia-reperfusion injury and analyzes future research directions.

Biochemical-molecular-genetic biomarkers in the tear film, aqueous humor, and blood of primary open-angle glaucoma patients

Introduction

Glaucoma is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, which is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. As a response to high intraocular pressure, the clinical and molecular glaucoma biomarkers indicate the biological state of the visual system. Classical and uncovering novel biomarkers of glaucoma development and progression, follow-up, and monitoring the response to treatment are key objectives to improve vision outcomes. While the glaucoma imaging field has successfully validated biomarkers of disease progression, there is still a considerable need for developing new biomarkers of early glaucoma, that is, at the preclinical and initial glaucoma stages. Outstanding clinical trials and animal-model study designs, innovative technology, and analytical approaches in bioinformatics are essential tools to successfully uncover novel glaucoma biomarkers with a high potential for translation into clinical practice.

Methods

To better understand the clinical and biochemical-molecular-genetic glaucoma pathogenesis, we conducted an analytical, observational, and case-comparative/control study in 358 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and 226 comparative-control individuals (CG) to collect tears, aqueous humor, and blood samples to be processed for identifying POAG biomarkers by exploring several biological pathways, such as inflammation, neurotransmitter/neurotrophin alteration, oxidative stress, gene expression, miRNAs fingerprint and its biological targets, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, Statistics were done by using the IBM SPSS 25.0 program. Differences were considered statistically significant when p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Mean age of the POAG patients was 70.03 ± 9.23 years, and 70.62 ± 7.89 years in the CG. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), interleuquin (IL)-6, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and 5 hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), displayed significantly higher levels in the POAG patients vs. the CG (p < 0.001). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT), solute carrier family 23-nucleobase transporters-member 2 (SLC23A2) gene, and the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) gene, showed significantly lower levelsin the POAG patients than in the CG (p < 0.001). The miRNAs that differentially expressed in tear samples of the POAG patients respect to the CG were the hsa miR-26b-5p (involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis), hsa miR-152-3p (regulator of cell proliferation, and extracellular matrix expression), hsa miR-30e-5p (regulator of autophagy and apoptosis), and hsa miR-151a-3p (regulator of myoblast proliferation).

Discussion

We are incredibly enthusiastic gathering as much information as possible on POAG biomarkers to learn how the above information can be used to better steer the diagnosis and therapy of glaucoma to prevent blindness in the predictable future. In fact, we may suggest that the design and development of blended biomarkers is a more appropriate solution in ophthalmological practice for early diagnosis and to predict therapeutic response in the POAG patients.

Role of microRNAs in programmed cell death in renal diseases: A review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression involving kidney morphogenesis and cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, migration, invasion, immune evasion, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Programmed cell death (PCD) is mediated and regulated by specific genes and a wealth of miRNAs, which participate in various pathological processes. Dysregulation of miRNAs can disrupt renal development and induce the onset and progression of various renal diseases. An in-depth understanding of how miRNAs regulate renal development and diseases is indispensable to comprehending how they can be used in new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. However, the mechanisms are still insufficiently investigated. Hence, we review the current roles of miRNA-related signaling pathways and recent advances in PCD research and aim to display the potential crosstalk between miRNAs and PCD. The prospects of miRNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets are also described, which might provide some novel ideas for further studies.