miR-214 Down-Regulation Promoted Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Hepatocyte Apoptosis Through TRAF1/ASK1/JNK Pathway

Elabela inhibits TRAF1/NF-κB induced oxidative DNA damage to promote diabetic foot ulcer wound healing

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious complication of diabetes. Elabela (ELA), a ligand of apelin receptor (APJ), was shown to promote angiogenesis and suppress inflammation. This study aimed to illustrate the role of ELA in DFU wound healing. A whole-skin defect model was constructed using db/m and db/db mice to observe the effects of ELA on wound healing. The function of ELA in endothelial cells cultured in high glucose medium was investigated. Administration of ELA in peri-wound area of db/db mice accelerated wound closure and reduced inflammatory infiltration. Indicators of DNA damage, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and tail DNA amounts, were downregulated by ELA but compromised after TRAF1 overexpression. ELA-mediated inhibition of NF-κB phosphorylation improved cell migration and angiogenesis, which were blocked by APJ silencing. The findings imply that ELA suppresses TRAF1-mediated NF-κB signal activation, reducing ROS-related oxidative DNA damage and improving protection of endothelial function.

Non-coding RNAs: The potential biomarker or therapeutic target in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is the major complication of liver surgery and liver transplantation, that may increase the postoperative morbidity, mortality, tumor progression, and metastasis. The underlying mechanisms have been extensively investigated in recent years. Among these, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, immunoreactions, and cell death are the most studied. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are defined as the RNAs that do not encode proteins, but can regulate gene expressions. In recent years, ncRNAs have emerged as research hotspots for various diseases. During the progression of HIRI, ncRNAs are differentially expressed, while these dysregulations of ncRNAs, in turn, have been verified to be related to the above pathological processes involved in HIRI. ncRNAs mainly contain microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs, some of which have been reported as biomarkers for early diagnosis or assessment of liver damage severity, and as therapeutic targets to attenuate HIRI. Here, we briefly summarize the common pathophysiology of HIRI, describe the current knowledge of ncRNAs involved in HIRI in animal and human studies, and discuss the potential of ncRNA-targeted therapeutic strategies. Given the scarcity of clinical trials, there is still a long way to go from pre-clinical to clinical application, and further studies are needed to uncover their potential as therapeutic targets.

Up-regulating microRNA-214-3p relieves hypoxic-ischemic brain damage through inhibiting TXNIP expression

A list of microRNAs (miRs) has been referred to involve in the development of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). Based on that, we probed the concrete role of miR-214-3p regulating thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) in the illness. A neonatal HIBD mouse model was established using the Rice-Vannucci method, followed by measurements of miR-214-3p and TXNIP levels in brain tissues. After modeling, mice were given brain injection of the compounds that could alter miR-214-3p and TXNIP expression. Afterward, neurological function, neuronal inflammation, neuronal apoptosis, neuron morphology, and the number of Nissl body were assessed in HIBD mice. The binding of miR-214-3p to TXNIP was analyzed. Lower miR-214-3p and higher TXNIP were analyzed in brain tissues of mice with HIBD. Up-regulating miR-214-3p or depleting TXNIP improved neurological function, reduced neuronal inflammation and neuronal apoptosis, attenuated morphological damage of neurons, and increased the number of Nissl bodies in mice with HIBD. TXNIP was targeted by miR-214-3p and overexpressing TXNIP reversed the therapeutic effect of miR-214-3p on HIBD mice. It is noted that promotion of miR-214-3p relieves HIBD in mice through inhibiting TXNIP expression.

MAPK Signaling Pathways in Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway can be activated by a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and hormones, and mediates numerous intracellular signals related to cellular activities, including cell proliferation, motility, and differentiation. It has been widely studied in the occurrence and development of inflammation and tumor. Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common pathophysiological phenomenon that occurs in surgical procedures such as lobectomy and liver transplantation, which is characterized by severe inflammatory reaction after ischemia and reperfusion. In this review, we mainly discuss the role of p38, ERK1/2, JNK in MAPK family and TAK1 and ASK1 in MAPKKK family in HIRI, and try to find an effective treatment for HIRI.

Research progress of lncRNA and miRNA in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common complication of liver surgeries, such as hepatectomy and liver transplantation. In recent years, several non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as factors involved in the pathological progression of HIRI. In this review, we summarized the latest research on lncRNAs, miRNAs and the lncRNA-miRNA regulatory networks in HIRI.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published up to December 2021 using the following keywords: "hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury", "lncRNA", "long non-coding RNA", "miRNA" and "microRNA". The bibliography of the selected articles was manually screened to identify additional studies.

RESULTS

The mechanism of HIRI is complex, and involves multiple lncRNAs and miRNAs. The roles of lncRNAs such as AK139328, CCAT1, MALAT1, TUG1 and NEAT1 have been established in HIRI. In addition, numerous miRNAs are associated with apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress and cellular inflammation that accompany HIRI pathogenesis. Based on the literature, we conclude that four lncRNA-miRNA regulatory networks mediate the pathological progression of HIRI. Furthermore, the expression levels of some lncRNAs and miRNAs undergo significant changes during the progression of HIRI, and thus are potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

Complex lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks regulate HIRI progression through mutual activation and antagonism. It is necessary to screen for more HIRI-associated lncRNAs and miRNAs in order to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Research on Mechanism of miR-214 Packaged with Lipidosome Nanoparticles on Prompting the Apoptosis of Intestinal Cancer Through Regulating p53 Pathway

Our study aimed at studying mechanism of miR-214 packaged with lipidosome nanoparticles on prompting apoptosis of intestinal cancer through regulating p53 pathway. SW480 cells were divided into blank group, empty carrier group, agonist group and group with carrier and antagonist. The negative control group was set, and groups related to p53 pathway were set as agonist group, inhibitor group and group with antagonist and inhibitor. The effect of miR-214 packaged with lipidosome nanoparticles on proliferation and apoptosis of intestinal cancer cells and p53 pathway in intestinal cancer cells was observed. Expression level of miR-214 in group with carrier and antagonist was lower than in other groups. The proportion of active cells in the group with carrier and antagonist started to be reduced notably from the second day. There was no notable declining tendency active cells' proportion from other groups. The quantity of cell apoptosis in group with carrier and antagonist was higher than in the other groups. The expression level of cleaved Caspase-3 in the group with carrier and antagonist was notably higher than in the other groups. Moreover, expression of Bcl-2/Bax protein was reversed, while expression of p53 protein in the carrier and antagonist groups was notably higher than in the other groups. The antagonist of miR-214 packaged with lipidosome nanoparticles could target on p53 pathway. The activity of p53 pathway was reduced by miR-214, and expression of Bcl-2 was increased. The expressions levels of Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 were also reversed, and molecular mechanism was mainly related with restraining of p53 signal pathway.

Molecular functions of ASK family in diseases caused by stress-induced inflammation and apoptosis

VCells are constantly exposed to various types of stress, and disruption of the proper response leads to a variety of diseases. Among them, inflammation and apoptosis are important examples of critical responses and should be tightly regulated, as inappropriate control of these responses is detrimental to the organism. In several disease states, these responses are abnormally regulated, with adverse effects. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK) family members are stress-responsive kinases that regulate inflammation and apoptosis after a variety of stimuli, such as oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In this review, we summarize recent reports on the ASK family in terms of their involvement in inflammatory diseases, focussing on upstream stimuli that regulate ASK family members.

Interaction between non-coding RNAs and JNK in human disorders

Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is a conserved cascade among species with particular roles in diverse processes during embryogenesis and normal life. These kinases regulate functions of neurons and the immune system by affecting the expression of genes, modulating the arrangement of cytoskeletal proteins, and regulating apoptosis/survival pathways. They are also involved in carcinogenesis. Several miRNAs and lncRNAs have a functional relationship with JNKs. This interaction contributes to the pathogenesis of traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis, hepatic ischemia/ reperfusion injury, acute myocardial infarction, and a number of other disorders. Lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gall bladder cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer are among malignant conditions in which JNK-related miRNAs/ lncRNAs contribute. The current review aims at depicting the functional interaction between JNKs and lncRNAs/ miRNAs and describing the role of these regulatory transcripts in the pathobiology of human disorders.

Roles of TRAFs in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) proteins are a family of signaling molecules that function downstream of multiple receptor signaling pathways, and they play a pivotal role in the regulation of intracellular biological progresses. These TRAF-dependent signaling pathways and physiological functions have been involved in the occurrence and progression of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), which is a common pathophysiological process that occurs in a wide variety of clinical events, including ischemic shock, organ transplantation, and thrombolytic therapy, resulting in a poor prognosis and high mortality. IRI occurs in multiple organs, including liver, kidney, heart, lung, brain, intestine, and retina. In recent years, mounting compelling evidence has confirmed that the genetic alterations of TRAFs can cause subversive phenotype changes during IRI of those organs. In this review, based on current knowledge, we summarized and analyzed the regulatory effect of TRAFs on the IRI of various organs, providing clear direction and a firm theoretical basis for the development of treatment strategies to manipulate TRAF proteins or TRAF-dependent signaling pathways in IRI-related diseases.

LncRNA PVT1 regulates ferroptosis through miR-214-mediated TFR1 and p53

AIM

The study aims to investigate the roles of LncRNA and miRNA in ferroptosis in brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in vivo and in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

qPCR assay was used to analyze lncRNA PVT1 and miR-214 expressions in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Then, we established brain I/R mice models and OGD/R PC12 cell models to analyze the mechanism of ferroptosis. I/R mice were treated by lncRNA PVT silencing or miR-214 overexpressing lentivirus via lateral ventricles. Infarct size was analyzed by TTC staining, accompanied by the detection of ferroptosis indicators through Perls'Prussian blue staining, iron kit, MDA kit, glutathione kit, GPx activities kit and Western blotting (WB). Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to assess whether miR-214 bound to PVT1, TP53 or TFR1. Co-IP analyzed the interplay of p53 with SLC7A11.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that the levels of PVT1 were upregulated and miR-214 levels were downregulated in plasma of AIS patients. NIHSS score was positively correlated with PVT1 levels but was negatively with miR-214 levels. PVT1 silencing or miR-214 overexpression significantly reduced infarct size and suppressed ferroptosis in vivo. miR-214 overexpression markedly decreased PVT1 levels. Specifically, miR-214 could bind to 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of PVT1, TP53 or TFR1. PVT1 overexpression or miR-214 silencing markedly abolished the effects of Ferrostatin-1 on ferroptosis indicators except for TFR1 expression. Besides, miR-214 silencing counteracted the effects of PVT1 knockdown on the ferroptosis-related proteins.

CONCLUSION

PVT1 regulated ferroptosis through miR-214-mediated TFR1 and TP53 expression. There was a positive feedback loop of lncRNA PVT1/miR-214/p53 possibly.

miR-214 Protects Against Uric Acid-Induced Endothelial Cell Apoptosis

Background: Uric acid (UA) has been reported to be an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and can cause endothelial cell apoptosis through unclear mechanisms. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that miR-214 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This study was to investigate the role of miR-214 in UA-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and the underlying mechanism.

Material and methods: We enrolled 30 patients with hyperuricemia and 32 healthy controls and analyzed the levels of miR-214 in the serum of the participants. Then mouse aorta endothelial cells (MAECs) were treated with UA to induce cell apoptosis. An miR-214 mimic and a specific COX-2 inhibitor (NS398) were used to confirm the roles of these molecules in mediating UA-induced MAEC apoptosis or COX-2/PGE₂ cascade activation.

Results: A significant reduction in circulating miR-214 in the hyperuricemia patients compared with the healthy controls, along with a negative correlation with UA levels was observed. In the MAECs, UA treatment strikingly increased apoptosis as shown by the upregulation of BAX and cleaved Caspase-3 and the increased number of apoptotic cells. Interestingly, the expression of COX-2 was also upregulated at both the protein and mRNA levels during UA-induced cell apoptosis. In addition, an miR-214 mimic blocked UA-induced MAEC apoptosis, COX-2 induction and PGE₂ secretion. The inhibition of COX-2 markedly ameliorated UA-induced apoptotic response and PGE₂ production in MAECs. Luciferase activity assays further confirmed that COX-2 is a target gene of miR-214 in endothelial cells.

Conclusion: We concluded that miR-214 could alleviate UA-induced MAEC apoptosis possibly by inhibiting the COX-2/PGE₂ cascade.

TRAF1 Exacerbates Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury via ASK1-JNK/p38 Signaling

Background After acute myocardial infarction, the recovery of ischemic myocardial blood flow may cause myocardial reperfusion injury, which reduces the efficacy of myocardial reperfusion. Ways to reduce and prevent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury are of great clinical significance in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction. TRAF1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1) is an important adapter protein that is implicated in molecular events regulating immunity, inflammation, and cell death. Little is known about the role and impact of TRAF1 in myocardial I/R injury. Methods and Results TRAF1 expression is markedly induced in wild-type mice and cardiomyocytes after I/R or hypoxia/reoxygenation stimulation. I/R models were established in TRAF1 knockout mice and wild type mice (n=10 per group). We demonstrated that TRAF1 deficiency protects against myocardial I/R-induced loss of heat function, inflammation, and cardiomyocyte death. In addition, overexpression of TRAF1 in primary cardiomyocytes promotes hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced inflammation and apoptosis in vitro. Mechanistically, TRAF1 promotes myocardial I/R injury through regulating ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1)-mediated JNK/p38 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38) MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades. Conclusions Our results indicated that TRAF1 aggravates the development of myocardial I/R injury by enhancing the activation of ASK1-mediated JNK/p38 cascades. Targeting the TRAF1-ASK1-JNK/p38 pathway provide feasible therapies for cardiac I/R injury.