CUL4B promotes the pathology of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats through the canonical Wnt signaling

A novel CUL4B gene variant activating Wnt4/β-catenin signal pathway to karyotype 46, XY female with disorders of sex development

BACKGROUND

Karyotype 46, XY female disorders of sex development (46, XY female DSD) are congenital conditions due to irregular gonadal development or androgen synthesis or function issues. Genes significantly influence DSD; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study identified a Chinese family with 46, XY female DSD due to the CUL4B gene.

METHODS

The proband medical history and pedigree were investigated. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to analyze different variations. Transiently transfected testicular teratoma (NT2/D1), KGN ovarian cells with either mutant or wild-type CUL4B gene, and knock-in Cul4b mouse models were confirmed. The expression levels of sex-related genes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A 9.5-year-old girl was diagnosed with 46, XY DSD. A hemizygous variant c.838 T > A of the CUL4B gene was detected. The mRNA and protein levels of WNT4 and FOXL2 genes were higher than those in the wild-type group; however, CTNNB1, SOX9, and DMRT1 were lower in the wild-type group in NT2/D1 cells. In KGN ovarian cells of the mutant group, the mRNA and protein levels for WNT4 and CTNNB1 were elevated. Damaged testicular vasculature and underdeveloped seminal vesicles were observed in Cul4bL337M mice.

CONCLUSIONS

A missense CUL4B variant c.838 T > A associated with 46, XY female DSD was identified, and may activate the Wnt4/β-catenin pathway. Our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of 46, XY female DSD.

Circ_0011058 alleviates RA pathology through the circ_0011058/miR-335-5p/CUL4B signal axis

Our previous study found that Cullin 4B (CUL4B) inhibited rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathology through glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3β)/canonical Wnt signalling pathway. In this work, pre-experiment and bioinformatics analysis suggested that circ_0011058 may lead to the up-regulation of CUL4B expression by inhibiting miR-335-5p. Therefore, we studied whether circ_0011058 can promote the expression of CUL4B through sponging the miR-335-5p and further promote the pathological development of RA. Bioinformatics prediction, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blot (WB), double luciferase reporter gene and other relevant methods were used to study the inhibition of circ_0011058 on RA pathology and its molecular mechanism. Results showed that the expression of circ_0011058 was significantly increased in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats and RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). The knockout of circ_0011058 inhibited the proliferation of AA FLS and RA FLS, decreased the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), fibronectin, which showed that circ_0011058 had a strong role in promoting RA pathology. Furthermore, miR-335-5p expression was reduced in AA rats and RA FLS. The highly expressed circ_0011058 directly sponged the miR-335-5p, which led to the increase of CUL4B expression and promoted the activation of the GSK3β/canonical signalling pathway. Finally, we confirmed that miR-335-5p mediated the roles of circ_0011058 in promoting RA pathological development, which showed that the circ_0011058/miR-335-5p/CUL4B signal axis was involved in RA pathology. This work was of great significance for clarifying the roles of circ_0011058 in RA pathology, and further work was needed to establish whether circ_0011058 was a potential therapeutic target or diagnostic marker for RA.

[Cuiru Keli Improves Postpartum Hypogalactia in Rats Through Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 2-Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway]

Objective

Based on the secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2)-Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, this study explored the effect and mechanism of Cuiru Keli (CRKL) in the treatment of postpartum hypogalactia.

Methods

A rat model of postpartum hypogalactia was established by gavaging 2 mL of 1.6 mg/mL bromocriptine mesylate to female rats on the third day after delivery. Female rats with a delivery time difference of less than 48 hours were selected and randomly assigned to 7 groups, including a normal group (without any modeling or medication), a model group, a CRKL low-dose group of model group model rats receiving CRKL at the dose of 3 g/kg, a CRKL medium-dose group of model rats receiving CRKL at the dose of 6 g/kg, a CRKL high-dose group of model rats receiving CRKL at the dose of 9 g/kg, a positive drug group of model rats receiving domperidone at the dose of 3 mg/kg, and a negative control (NC) group of model rats receiving normal saline. Each group contained 6 rats. Except for the normal and model groups, the remaining 5 groups were continuously administered with the respective intervention drugs at the specified doses by gavage once a day for 10 days. Changes in the total litter mass of the offspring in the 7 groups within 10 days were measured, and HE staining was performed to identify pathological changes in the mammary tissue (MT). Six groups of rats (excluding the positive control group) were used to observe the pathological changes of eosinophils in pituitary tissue. ELISA was performed to determine the content of prolactin (PRL) in serum, immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of prolactin receptor (PRLR) in MT, and RT-qPCR was used to determine the mRNA expression of genes related to lactation in MT. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to study the therapeutic effect and mechanism of CRKL on postpartum hypogalactia, particularly whether it acted through the SFRP2-Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The mechanism of CRKL treatment was further validated by detecting mRNA (RT-qPCR) and protein expression (Western blot) of related pathway genes. Cell experiments were conducted using primary culture rat mammary epithelial cells (RMEC) from rat MT. RMEC were divided into four groups, including a normal group (primary culture RMEC, untreated), SFRP2 overexpression group (primary cultured RMEC treated with SFRP2 overexpression vector), SFRP2 overexpression+CRKL group (receiving treatment for SFRP2 overexpression group plus 10% drug-containing serum), and negative control group (primary culture RMEC treated with empty vector). The effect of CRKL on the expression of lactation-related genes FASN, CSN2, and GLUT1 mRNA after SFRP2 overexpression was detected by RT-qPCR.

Results

In this study, CRKL was administered at a dose of 3 g/kg in the CRKL low-dose group, 6 g/kg in the medium-dose group, and 9 g/kg in the high-dose group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, CRKL at all doses significantly increased the total litter weight gain of the offsprings within 10 days (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and effectively increased lactation (P<0.01), the area of mammary lobules, and the size and filling of acinar cavities. CRKL at all doses also increased the number of eosinophils that secreted PRL in the pituitary gland of the postpartum hypogalactia rat model, and increased the content of PRL in the serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CRKL promoted the secretion and expression of PRL in postpartum hypogalactic model rats. In addition, it significantly promoted the expression of genes related to milk fat, milk protein, and lactose synthesis in MT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Network pharmacology predicted that the Wnt signaling pathway might be a key pathway for CRKL in treating postpartum hypogalactia. The molecular docking results showed that related chemical components in CRKL had good binding ability with CCND1 and SFRP2. Compared with the model group, CRKL at all doses inhibited the expression of SFRP2 gene in vivo (P<0.01) and activated the mRNA and protein expression of CCND1 and c-Myc in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in MT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Cell experiments showed that, compared to the normal group, SFRP2 overexpression reduced the mRNA expression of milk synthesis-related genes FASN, CSN2, and GLUT1 in RMEC (P<0.01). The CCK8 results indicated that 10% of the drug-containing serum was the effective concentration administered to cells (P<0.01). After administering drug-containing serum, the expression of the lactation-related genes FASN, CSN2, and GLUT1 were up-regulated (compared with the SFRP2 overexpression group, P<0.01).

Conclusion

CRKL alleviates postpartum hypogalactia through the SFRP2-Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. SFRP2 might be a potential new target for the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum hypogalactia. This reveals a new mechanism of CRKL in treating postpartum hypogalactia and promotes its clinical application.

Neddylation Regulation of Immune Responses

Neddylation plays a vital role in post-translational modification, intricately shaping the regulation of diverse biological processes, including those related to cellular immune responses. In fact, neddylation exerts control over both innate and adaptive immune systems via various mechanisms. Specifically, neddylation influences the function and survival of innate immune cells, activation of pattern recognition receptors and GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes pathways, as well as the release of various cytokines in innate immune reactions. Moreover, neddylation also governs the function and survival of antigen-presenting cells, which are crucial for initiating adaptive immune reactions. In addition, neddylation regulates T cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, survival, and their effector functions, thereby ensuring an appropriate adaptive immune response. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings in these aspects and delve into the connection between dysregulated neddylation events and immunological disorders, especially inflammatory diseases. Lastly, we propose future directions and potential treatments for these diseases by targeting neddylation.

Advances in the potential roles of Cullin-RING ligases in regulating autoimmune diseases

Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) are the largest class of E3 ubiquitin ligases regulating the stability and subsequent activity of a large number of important proteins responsible for the development and progression of various diseases, including autoimmune diseases (AIDs). However, the detailed mechanisms of the pathogenesis of AIDs are complicated and involve multiple signaling pathways. An in-depth understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms of the initiation and progression of AIDs will aid in the development of effective therapeutic strategies. CRLs play critical roles in regulating AIDs, partially by affecting the key inflammation-associated pathways such as NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and TGF-β. In this review, we summarize and discuss the potential roles of CRLs in the inflammatory signaling pathways and pathogenesis of AIDs. Furthermore, advances in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for AIDs through targeting CRLs are also highlighted.

Huangqin Qingre Qubi Capsule inhibits RA pathology by binding FZD8 and further inhibiting the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huangqin Qingre Qubi Capsule (HQC) is a Chinese herbal compound for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is made from dry roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, dry mature seeds of Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis, dry and mature seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi var. stenocarpa Oliv., dry mature seeds of Amygdalus persica L. and roots and rhizomes of Clematis chinensis Osbeck in the proportion of 10:9:30:5:10. HQC has a significant effect in clinical treatment of RA, which can inhibit RA inflammation, improve oxidative stress state, and effectively relieve symptoms of RA patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The anti-arthritis effect of HQC and its mechanism, especially whether it improves RA through FZD8-Wnt/β-catenin signal axis, were studied using adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats and FLS from RA patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Real time qPCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot (WB), confocal microscopy and other molecular biological methods were used to study the anti-RA effect of HQC and its mechanism.

RESULTS

The expression of FZD8 was significantly up-regulated in synovium and FLS of AA rats and RA FLS. FZD8 significantly activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promoted abnormal proliferation of FLS, increased the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, and significantly increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and fibronectin. HQC has significant therapeutic effect on AA rats. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics showed that HQC had a good binding ability with FZD8. We also confirmed that HQC inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by binding FZD8, and reduced the levels of the above inflammatory factors and pathological genes of RA.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of FZD8 is significantly increased in AA rats and FLS from RA patients. Clarify that HQC improves RA through the FZD8-Wnt/β-catenin signal axis, provide a clear therapeutic mechanism for HQC to improve RA, and also provide a basis for clinical promotion of HQC.

LncRNA HOTTIP promotes inflammatory response in acute gouty arthritis via miR-101-3p/BRD4 axis

INTRODUCTION

Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is characterized by the accumulation of pro-inflammatory factors. This research aimed to examine the regulation of long non-coding RNA HOXA distal transcript antisense RNA (HOTTIP) in AGA on inflammation and its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

Serum levels of HOTTIP in AGA patients were examined by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The receiver operating characteristic curve was performed in the diagnosis of AGA patients. Monosodium urate (MSU) stimulation of THP-1-derived macrophages was used to establish an in vitro AGA model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to assess the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pearson correlation was applied to examine the correlation. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were employed to identify the targeting relationship between miR-101-3p and HOTTIP or bromodomain-containing 4 (BRD4).

RESULTS

HOTTIP and BRD4 were statistically overexpressed in AGA patients compared with controls, while miR-101-3p was reduced (P < 0.05). Serum HOTTIP can significantly distinguish AGA patients from healthy controls. HOTTIP bound with miR-101-3p then augmented BRD4 via a competing endogenous RNA mechanism. Additionally, HOTTIP levels were elevated in a dose-dependent manner by MSU (P < 0.05). Weakened HOTTIP significantly inhibited MSU-induced release of pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and transforming growth factor-α in macrophages (P < 0.05), but this inhibition was reversed by silencing miR-101-3p (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In short, HOTTIP contributes to inflammation via miR-101-3p/BRD4 axis, and serves as a new diagnostic biomarker. This study offers a renewed perspective on the diagnosis and treatment of AGA.

The Effective Treatment of Purpurin on Inflammation and Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis

Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae), one of the traditional anti-rheumatic herbal medicines in China, has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since ancient times. Purpurin, an active compound of Rubia cordifolia L., has been identified in previous studies and exerts antibacterial, antigenotoxic, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. However, the efficacy and the underlying mechanism of purpurin to alleviate RA are unclear. In this study, the effect of purpurin on inflammation was investigated using macrophage RAW264.7 inflammatory cells, induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat was established to explore the effect of purpurin on joint damage and immune disorders; the network pharmacology and molecular docking were integrated to dig out the prospective target. Purpurin showed significantly anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the content of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β and increasing IL-10. Besides, purpurin obviously improved joint injury and hypotoxicity in the liver and spleen and regulated the level of FOXP3 and CD4+/CD8+. Furthermore, purpurin reduced the MMP3 content of AIA rats. Network pharmacology and molecular docking also suggested that MMP3 may be the key target of purpurin against RA. The results of this study strongly indicated that purpurin has a potential effect on anti-RA.

LncRNA RNA XIST binding to GATA1 contributes to rheumatoid arthritis through its effects on proliferation of synovial fibroblasts and angiogenesis via regulation of CCN6

This study explored the role of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) XIST (X-inactive specific transcript) as a driver of RA pathogenesis, with a particular focus on the ability of this lncRNA to interact with GATA1 and CCN6. The GSE83147and GSE181614 datasets were downloaded for analysis. XIST and CCN6 expression were assessed in synovial fibroblasts (SFs) and in both normal cartilage samples and those from RA patients, with the relationship between XIST and CCN6 additionally being examined. XIST and CCN6 were respectively knocked down or overexpressed in SFs to establish their regulatory roles in these cells in the context of RA. Further studies of the regulatory interplay between XIST, GATA1, and CCN6 were then performed through RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, gain-of-function, loss-of-function, and luciferase reporter assays. In addition, RA model rats were established and used to measure the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 and to subject tissues from these animals to histopathological examination. RA patient synovial tissues and SFs exhibited XIST and CCN6 upregulation. The knockdown of XIST suppressed SF migratory, proliferative, invasive, and angiogenic activity, while CCN6 knockdown partially reversed the ability of XIST to influence these phenotypic outcomes in vitro and in vivo. XIST bound to GATA1 within SFs, thus promoting enhanced CCN6 transcription. Knocking down XIST alleviated RA-related pathological damage, synovial injury, and inflammatory response induction in rats. The binding of XIST to GATA1 leads to CCN6 upregulation, driving RA pathogenesis by altering SF proliferation and angiogenic activity, suggesting that this pathway may represent a viable target for therapeutic intervention.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsule Inhibits the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis Through the CUL4B/Wnt Pathway

The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still not fully clarified, and the development of therapeutic drugs for RA is particularly urgent. Our group studies a possibility that circ_ 0015756/miR-942-5p may participate in the pathogenesis of RA through disordered Cullin 4B (CUL4B) and the traditional Chinese medicine compound Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsule (HQC) may inhibit the pathogenesis of RA through the CUL4B/Wnt pathway. Data showed that the expression of circ_0015756 increased not only in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) of RA, but also in synovium and FLS of CIA mice, and the expression of miR-942-5p decreased. Abnormal circ_0015756 up-regulated the CUL4B expression and activated the canonical Wnt signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of miR-942-5p. Circ_0015756 participated in the pathogenesis of RA and promoted the abnormal proliferation of FLS. Further, circ_0015756 activated the secretion of IL-1 and IL-8 and promoted the production of RA pathological gene MMP3 and fibronectin. Further analysis showed that HQC inhibited the pathogenesis of RA through the CUL4B/Wnt pathway, and the specific target was CUL4B. HQC interfered with the effects of circ_0015756 on the pathogenesis of RA by inhibiting the CUL4B, showing a good therapeutic effect on RA.

Inhibition of MicroRNA miR-101-3p on prostate cancer progression by regulating Cullin 4B (CUL4B) and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways

To probe into the efffects of miR-101-3p via regulating CUL4B within PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway on progression of prostate cancer (PCA). Western blot and qRT-PCR were adopted to detect CUL4B and miR-101-3p expressions in 75 cases with PCA . The cellular strains of PCA (LNCaP and PC3) were chose as the objects to check the targeting correlation between CUL4B and miR-101-3p through dual-luciferase reporter experiments. LNCaP cells and PC3 cells were randomly divided into the blank group, miR-101-3p mimic group, siRNA negative control (NC) group, CUL4B siRNA group and CUL4B siRNA plus the miR-101-3p inhibitor group. Cellular bioactivity measurement was done via Cell-Light EDU, MTT, Annexin-V-FITC/PI, scratch-heal experiments and invasion tests of Transwell. MiR-101-3p expression was decreased more signally in tumor tissues than in normal tissues adjacent to the cancer. MiR-101-3p inhibited cellular proliferating, migrating and invasion. Nevertheless, it promoted cellular apoptosis, up-regulated apoptotic proteins as well as down-regulated anti-apoptotic proteins. CUL4B siRNA and miR-101-3p simulation were similar in terms of their outcomes. Nonetheless, these results could be reversed through the miR-101-3p inhibitor. Besides, CUL4B siRNA and the simulation halted a serious of PI3K signal in PCA cells. MiR-101-3p expression was down-regulated in PCA patients. CUL4B was upregulated in PCA patients. Moreover, miR-101-3p suppressed cellular invasion, migration, proliferation and led to cellular apoptosis, which might be related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway suppression. Finally, we found, MiR-101-3P suppressed PCA progression via aiming for CUL4B, which may offer the new molecular target for PCA clinical treatment.

Anti-inflammatory activity of different isolated sites of Chloranthus serratus in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rats

Chloranthus serratus is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating arthritis and bruises. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-arthritic activities and possible associated mechanisms of different isolated sites of Chloranthus serratus (DISC) in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats. The therapeutic effects of the extracts were assessed through changes in body weights, swelling rates, arthritis indexes (AI) and organ indexes. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were determined using one-step method, TBA method and hydroxylamine method, respectively; the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, prostaglandin E2, macrophage inhibitor factor-1, VEGF, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM and IFN-γ in serum were determined using ELISA. Pathological changes and positive expression of VEGF in the ankle joints were investigated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. DISC treatment increased the weight gains and thymus indexes, and decreased the swelling rates, spleen indexes and AI in AA rats. The water isolated site (WA) and ethyl acetate isolated site (EA) significantly reversed complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced changes in the levels of NO, IL-6, TNF-α, IgG and IFN-γ, while the n-butanol isolated site (NB) only reversed the changes in IL-6 and IgG contents. Some changes in the chloroform isolated site group showed the same trend as those in the model group. The extracts relieved synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration and articular surface defects, and reduced the positive expression rate of VEGF in the synovial tissues of the AA rats to varying degrees. The WA exhibited the most marked effects, followed by the EA and NB, indicating that WA had optimal therapeutic effects on CFA-induced arthritic rats, which may be mediated by the oxidative stress and inhibition of inflammatory factors. C. serratus may serve as a potential candidate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Dysregulation of lncRNAs in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Biomarkers, Pathogenesis and Potential Therapeutic Targets

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, mainly manifested by persistent abnormal proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), inflammation, synovial hyperplasia and cartilage erosion, accompanied by joint swelling and joint destruction. Abnormal expression or function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related to human diseases, including cancers, mental diseases, autoimmune diseases and others. The abnormal sequence and spatial structure of lncRNAs, the disorder expression and the abnormal interaction with the binding protein will lead to the change of gene expression in the way of epigenetic modification. Increasing evidence demonstrated that lncRNAs were involved in the activation of FLSs, which played a key role in the pathogenesis of RA. In this review, the research progress of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of RA was systematically summarized, including the role of lncRNAs in the diagnosis of RA, the regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of RA, and the intervention role of lncRNAs in the treatment of RA. Furthermore, the activated signal pathways, the role of DNA methylation and other mechanism have also been overview in this review.

Downregulation of lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 Represses Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion Through Mediating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling by miR-342-3p/CUL4B Axis in Prostate Cancer

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer among men, threatening men's health and life. Long noncoding RNA Zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 antisense gene 1 (ZEB1-AS1) and Cullin 4B (CUL4B) were reported to be connected with the tumorigenesis of PCa. However, it is unclear whether ZEB1-AS1 regulates the expression of CUL4B in PCa. Materials and Methods: The levels of ZEB1-AS1 and CUL4B in PCa tissues and cells were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein levels of CUL4B, p21, CyclinD1, matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9), E-cadherin, phosphorylated-phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (p-PI3K), PI3K phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), AKT, p-mTOR and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in PCa tissues or cells were assessed by Western blot analysis. The proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of PCa cells were determined with 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-YI)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) or transwell assay. The interaction between ZEB1-AS1 or CUL4B and microRNA-342-3p (miR-342-3p) was predicted using starBase v2.0 database and confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: ZEB1-AS1 and CUL4B were upregulated and miR-342-3p was downregulated in PCa tissues and cells. Both ZEB1-AS1 and CUL4B inhibition constrained proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa cells. Moreover, the elevation of CUL4B reversed the effects of ZEB1-AS1 silencing on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa cells. Importantly, ZEB1-AS1 modulated CUL4B expression by sponging miR-342-3p in PCa cells. Besides, ZEB1-AS1 mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway by miR-342-3p/CUL4B axis in PCa cells. Conclusion: ZEB1-AS1 modulated PCa progression through mediating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling by miR-342-3p/CUL4B axis, providing a possible strategy for the treatment of PCa.

Identification of a novel microRNA-141-3p/Forkhead box C1/β-catenin axis associated with rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblast function in vivo and in vitro

Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototype of inflammatory arthritis in which synovial fibroblasts (SFs) play key roles in cartilage and bone destruction through tumor-like proliferation, migration, invasion and inflammation. This study aimed to research forkhead box protein C1 (FoxC1) and microRNA (miR)-141-3p, which modulate pathological changes in the synovial membrane, to find possible strategies for treating RA.

Methods: FoxC1, β-catenin and miR-141-3p gene expression in synovial tissues and SFs was quantified by real-time PCR; FoxC1 and β-catenin protein levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. We transiently transfected human SFs with FoxC1 and β-catenin overexpression and silencing vectors and assessed proliferation, migration, invasion and inflammation by cell function and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We also assessed downstream signaling activation using immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and Western blotting. Double luciferase, coimmunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to verify miR-141-3p, FoxC1 and β-catenin gene and protein combinations. Finally, the therapeutic effects of FoxC1 silencing and miR-141-3p overexpression were evaluated in type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats.

Results: We found that FoxC1 expression was significantly upregulated in synovium and SFs in both RA patients and rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). FoxC1 overexpression increased β-catenin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels and upregulated cyclin D1, c-Myc, fibronectin and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) mRNA and protein expression in RA SFs (RASFs). In contrast, FoxC1 knockdown reduced β-catenin mRNA and protein levels as well as cyclin D1, c-Myc, and fibronectin mRNA and protein levels in RASFs. Furthermore, altering FoxC1 expression did not significantly change GSK3β and pGSK3β levels. FoxC1 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration, invasion and proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) production and reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) levels in RASFs. FoxC1 bound to the β-catenin promoter, and β-catenin mediated the FoxC1-induced pathological changes. We also observed downregulated microRNA (miR)-141-3p expression in SFs from both RA patients and CIA rats and further found that miR-141-3p bound to the FoxC1 3′UTR and suppressed FoxC1 expression. Intra-ankle miR-141-3p agomir or FoxC1-specific siRNA injection hindered CIA development in rats.

Conclusions: FoxC1 and miR-141-3p participate in RA pathogenesis by mediating inflammation and SF proliferation, migration, and invasion and thus could be novel targets for RA therapy as a nonimmunosuppressive approach.

Embryonic Cul4b is important for epiblast growth and location of primitive streak layer cells

Cul4b-null (Cul4bΔ/Y) mice undergo growth arrest and degeneration during the early embryonic stages and die at E9.5. The pathogenic causes of this lethality remain incompletely characterized. However, it has been hypothesized that the loss of Cul4b function in extraembryonic tissues plays a key role. In this study, we investigated possible causes of death for Cul4b-null embryos, particularly in regard to the role of embryonic Cul4b. First, we show that the loss of embryonic Cul4b affects the growth of the inner cell mass in vitro and delays epiblast development during the gastrulation period at E6.5~E7.5 in vivo, as highlighted by the absence of the epiblastic transcription factor Brachyury from E6.5~E7.5. Additionally, at E7.5, strong and laterally expanded expression of Eomes and Fgf8 signaling was detected. Sectioning of these embryos showed disorganized primitive streak layer cells. Second, we observed that Mash2-expressing cells were present in the extraembryonic tissues of Cul4b-deficient embryos at E6.5 but were absent at E7.5. In addition, the loss of Cul4b resulted in decreased expression of cyclin proteins, which are required for the cell cycle transition from G1 to S. Taken together, these observations suggest that the embryonic expression of Cul4b is important for epiblast growth during E6.5~E7.5, and the loss of Cul4b results in either delayed growth of the epiblast or defective localization of primitive streak layer cells. As a result, the signaling activity mediated by the epiblast for subsequent ectoplacental cone development is affected, with the potential to induce growth retardation and lethality in Cul4bΔ/Y embryos.

CUL4B promotes prostate cancer progression by forming positive feedback loop with SOX4

How to distinguish indolent from aggressive disease remains a great challenge in prostate cancer (PCa) management. Cullin 4B (CUL4B) is a scaffold protein and exhibits oncogenic activity in a variety of human malignancies. In this study, we utilized PCa tissue specimens, cell lines and xenograft models to determine whether CUL4B contributes to PCa progression and metastasis. Here, we show that CUL4B expression highly correlates with the aggressiveness of PCa. CUL4B expression promotes proliferation, epithelial−mesenchymal transition, and metastatic potential of PCa cells, whereas CUL4B knockdown inhibits. Mechanically, CUL4B positively regulates SOX4, a key regulator in PCa, through epigenetic silencing of miR-204. In turn, SOX4 upregulates CUL4B expression through transcriptional activation, thereby fulfilling a positive feedback loop. Clinically, CUL4B+/SOX4+ defines a subset of PCa patients with poor prognosis. Bioinformatics analysis further reveals that Wnt/ß-catenin activation signature is enriched in CUL4B+/SOX4+ patient subgroup. Intriguingly, Wnt inhibitors significantly attenuates oncogenic capacities of CUL4B in vitro and in vivo. Together, our study identifies CUL4B as a key modulator of aggressive PCa by a positive feedback loop that interacts with SOX4. This regulatory circuit may have a crucial role in PCa progression.