LncRNA MALAT1 Promotes Ulcerative Colitis by Upregulating lncRNA ANRIL

Circulating miR-199a and long noncoding-RNA ANRIL as Promising Diagnostic Biomarkers for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), involving both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), represents a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease due to an uncontrolled, ongoing inflammatory response to intestinal bacteria in those with genetic susceptibility. MicroRNA (miRNA) extrusion from relevant remote organs or tissues is reflected in the expression of miRNAs in serum and plasma. Both UC and CD patients had higher blood levels of expressed miR-199a. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) ANRIL is a proinflammatory gene that mediates nuclear factor κB to play a role in inflammatory diseases, such as IBD. The aim of the current study is to investigate the potential role of both miR-199a and ANRIL in diagnosing IBD in adult patients.

METHODS

Sixty-seven IBD patients diagnosed clinically, radiologically, endoscopically, and histologically were included in this prospective cohort study. Participants were classified into 3 groups: the UC group (n = 35), the CD group (n = 32), and the control group (n = 30). Demographics, history taking, laboratory characteristics, and treatments were recorded. Tumor necrosis factor α, miR-199a, and ANRIL were measured.

RESULTS

The findings suggested that miR-199a and ANRIL might be associated with the occurrence or progression of IBD because both genes were substantially expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with this condition. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the detection of miR-199a and ANRIL had a predictive sensitivity of 62.9% and 88.6% and a specificity of 70.7% and 96.7% for the occurrence of UC cases, respectively, and a predictive sensitivity of 72.4% and 46.9% and a specificity of 96.7% and 34.7% for the occurrence of CD cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both miR-199a and ANRIL are abundant in the sera of IBD adult Egyptian patients (UC and CD). Both can represent a noninvasive marker for early disease diagnosis.

Long Non-Coding RNAs and Their Potential Role as Biomarkers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that encompasses entities such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Its incidence has risen in newly industrialised countries over time, turning it into a global disease. Lately, studies on inflammatory bowel disease have focused on finding non-invasive and specific biomarkers. Long non-coding RNAs may play a role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease and therefore they may be considered as potential biomarkers for this disease. In the present article, we review information in the literature on the relationship between long non-coding RNAs and inflammatory bowel disease. We especially focus on understanding the potential function of these RNAs as non-invasive biomarkers, providing information that may be helpful for future studies in the field.

Long non-coding RNAs as pathophysiological regulators, therapeutic targets and novel extracellular vesicle biomarkers for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) system that includes two groups, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). To cope with these two classes of IBD, the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms and the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are crucial. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which are non-coding RNAs with a length of longer than 200 nucleotides have indicated significant association with the pathology of IBD and strong potential to be used as accurate biomarkers in diagnosing and predicting responses to the IBD treatment. In the current review, we aim to investigate the role of lncRNAs in the pathology and development of IBD. We first describe recent advances in research on dysregulated lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of IBD from the perspective of epithelial barrier function, intestinal immunity, mitochondrial function, and intestinal autophagy. Then, we highlight the possible translational role of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets, diagnostic biomarkers, and predictors of therapeutic response in colon tissues and plasma samples. Finally, we discuss the potential of extracellular vesicles and their lncRNA cargo in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of IBD.

Expression profile of serum LncRNAs MALAT-1 and CCAT-1 and their correlation with Mayo severity score in ulcerative colitis patients can diagnose and predict the prognosis of the disease

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has emerged as an accelerated-incidence chronic condition. UC has been identified as a precancerous lesion for colorectal cancer. Up-to-date genomic research revealed the value of many noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in UC pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis.

Aim

The present study was aimed at measuring both MALAT-1 and CCAT-1 in the sera of UC patients as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and correlating them with the Mayo score which is a novel predictive indicator of malignant transformation as well as with clinicopathological characteristics of the disease.

Patients and methods

Sixty-six UC patients and 80 healthy individuals participated in this study, the serum fold changes of MALAT-1 and CCAT-1 were measured by using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results

The current study findings include overexpressed lncRNAs MALAT-1 and CCAT-1 in the sera of ulcerative colitis patients [(median (IQR) = 2.290 (0.16-9.36), mean ± SD = 3.37 ± 3.904 for MALAT-1, and median (IQR) = 7.305 (0.57-16.96), mean ± SD = 6.81 ± 4.002 for CCAT-1 than controls, ROC curve analysis reported that these genes could predict UC. Both genes were positively correlated with each other which enforces their synergistic effects. Both genes are diagnostic for UC patients.We related studied genes to the severity of the disease. In addition to a significant positive correlation between each gene with ESR and Mayo score, we further classified the patients according to severity (according to Mayo score to remission, mild, moderate, and severe groups) with the following results; lower levels of MALAT-1 and CCAT-1 were significantly associated with mild disease and increased gradually with more severe forms of the disease (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis with Mayo Score as a dependent variable revealed that only the predictive power of CCAT-1 and ESR are significant. Moreover, ROC curve analysis when compared to that of the Mayo score revealed that CCAT-1 reached 99 % accuracy. In summary, both genes are prognostic factors for UC patients.

Conclusion

MALAT-1 and CCAT-1 are diagnostic and prognostic serum biomarkers of ulcerative colitis.

lncRNA Biomarkers of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules of 200 nucleotides or more in length that are not translated into proteins. Their expression is tissue-specific, with the vast majority involved in the regulation of cellular processes and functions. Many human diseases, including cancer, have been shown to be associated with deregulated lncRNAs, rendering them potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for differential diagnosis. The expression of lncRNAs in the nervous system varies in different cell types, implicated in mechanisms of neurons and glia, with effects on the development and functioning of the brain. Reports have also shown a link between changes in lncRNA molecules and the etiopathogenesis of brain neoplasia, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is an aggressive variant of brain cancer with an unfavourable prognosis and a median survival of 14-16 months. It is considered a brain-specific disease with the highly invasive malignant cells spreading throughout the neural tissue, impeding the complete resection, and leading to post-surgery recurrences, which are the prime cause of mortality. The early diagnosis of GBM could improve the treatment and extend survival, with the lncRNA profiling of biological fluids promising the detection of neoplastic changes at their initial stages and more effective therapeutic interventions. This review presents a systematic overview of GBM-associated deregulation of lncRNAs with a focus on lncRNA fingerprints in patients' blood.

Moxibustion alleviates intestinal inflammation in ulcerative colitis rats by modulating long non-coding RNA LOC108352929 and inhibiting Phf11 expression

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine, can improve symptoms in patients with UC and reduce intestinal inflammation in rats with UC. However, it remains unclear whether the ameliorative effect of moxibustion on intestinal mucosal inflammation in UC is related to lncRNAs. Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control, UC, moxibustion (MOX), and sulfasalazine (SASP). The UC rat model was induced by administering 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. Rats in the moxibustion group underwent bilateral Tianshu (ST25) moxibustion using the herbs-partition moxibustion method. Rats in the sulfasalazine group received SASP solution via gavage twice daily for seven consecutive days. Our results revealed that, compared with the UC group [2.00 (1.00, 2.50)], the DAI score [0.25 (0.00, 0.50)] was significantly lower in the MOX group (P < 0.05). Compared with the UC group [13.00 (11.25, 14.00)], the histopathological score [5.50 (4.00, 7.75)] was significantly lower in the MOX group (P < 0.05). In addition, the CMDI and macroscopic scores were decreased in the MOX group (P < 0.05). Moxibustion significantly decreased the protein expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β in the colonic tissues of UC rats (P <0.05), thereby suppressing the inflammatory response. Moreover, moxibustion exerted a regulatory influence on colon lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles, upregulating LOC108352929 and downregulating Phf11 in rats with UC (P <0.05). Moxibustion also led to a reduction in the expression and colocalization of Phf11 and NF-κB in the colons of UC rats. Moreover, knockdown of LOC108352929 in rat enteric glial cells demonstrated a significant upregulation of TNF-α mRNA expression (P <0.05). In summary, these data illustrate that moxibustion effectively ameliorates DSS-induced colonic injury and inflammation while exerting regulatory control over the lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network in UC rats. Collectively, the in vivo and in vitro studies suggested that LOC108352929-Phf11 may serve as a potential biological marker for moxibustion in the treatment of UC.

Long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) poses a growing global burden, necessitating the discovery of reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis. The clinical significance of dysregulated expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in diagnosing IBD has not been well established. Thus, our study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of lncRNAs and circRNAs for IBD based on currently available studies.

Methods

A comprehensive search was carried out in diverse electronic databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Science Direct and Wiley Online Library to retrieve articles published until October 30, 2023. Stata 17.0 software was employed to determine pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC). Heterogeneity, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression were explored, and publication bias was assessed using Deeks' funnel plot. Fagan's nomogram and likelihood ratio scattergram were employed to evaluate the clinical validity.

Result

A total of 11 articles encompassing 21 studies which involved 1239 IBD patients and 985 healthy controls were investigated. The findings revealed lncRNAs exhibit high level of pooled sensitivity 0.94 (95% CI: 0.87-0.97) and specificity 0.99 (95% CI: 0.89-1.00), along with PLR, NLR, DOR, and AUC values of 64.25 (95% CI: 7.39-558.66), 0.06 (95% CI: 0.03-0.13), 1055.25 (95% CI: 70.61-15770.77), and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97-0.99), respectively. Conversely, CircRNAs showed moderate accuracy in IBD diagnosis, with sensitivity of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.61-0.73), specificity of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.79), PLR of 2.47 (95% CI: 1.94-3.16), NLR of 0.45 (95% CI: 0.38-0.53), DOR of 5.54 (95% CI: 3.88-7.93), and AUC value of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.79). Moreover, findings from subgroup analysis depicted heightened diagnostic efficacy when employing lncRNA H19 and a large sample size (≥100), with notable efficacy in diagnosing both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Conclusion

LncRNAs exhibit high diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing patients with IBD from healthy controls signifying their possible use as potential biomarkers, while circRNAs showed moderate diagnostic accuracy. Nevertheless, to validate our findings and confirm the clinical utility of lncRNAs and circRNAs in IBD diagnosis, a large pool of prospective and multi-center studies should be undertaken.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023491840.

Lnc-ing RNA to intestinal homeostasis and inflammation

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in numerous biological processes, including the immune system. Initial research in this area focused on cell-based studies, but recent advances underscore the profound significance of lncRNAs at the organismal level, providing invaluable insights into their roles in inflammatory diseases. In this rapidly evolving field, lncRNAs have been described with pivotal roles in the intestinal tract where they regulate intestinal homeostasis and inflammation by influencing processes such as immune cell development, inflammatory signaling pathways, epithelial barrier function, and cellular metabolism. Understanding the regulation and function of lncRNAs in this tissue may position lncRNAs not only as potential disease biomarkers but also as promising targets for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory bowel disease and related diseases.

Bridging autoimmunity and epigenetics: The influence of lncRNA MALAT1

Autoimmune disorders represent a heterogeneous spectrum of conditions defined by an immune system's atypical reactivity against endogenous constituents. In the complex anatomy of autoimmune pathogenesis, lncRNAs have appeared as pivotal arbiters orchestrating the mechanisms of ailment initiation, immune cascades, and transcriptional modulation. One such lncRNA, MALAT1, has garnered attention for its potential association with the aetiology of several autoimmune diseases. MALAT1 has been shown to influence a wide spectrum of cellular processes, which include cell multiplication and specialization, as well as apoptosis and inflammation. In autoimmune diseases, MALAT1 exhibits both disease-specific and shared patterns of dysregulation, often correlating with disease severity. The molecular mechanisms underlying MALAT1's impact on autoimmune disorders include epigenetic modifications, alternative splicing, and modulation of gene expression networks. Additionally, MALAT1's intricate interactions with microRNAs, other lncRNAs, and protein-coding genes further underscore its role in immune regulation and autoimmune disease progression. Understanding the contribution of MALAT1 in autoimmune pathogenesis across different diseases could offer valuable insights into shared pathways, thereby clearing a path for the creation of innovative and enhanced therapeutic approaches to address these complex disorders. This review aims to elucidate the complex role of MALAT1 in autoimmune disorders, encompassing rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of MALAT1 as a diagnostic biomarker, therapeutic target, and prognostic indicator.

Non-coding RNAs: Emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the colon's mucosal lining, leading to chronic bowel inflammation. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying UC pathogenesis remain elusive. NcRNAs form a category of functional RNA molecules devoid of protein-coding capacity. They have recently surfaced as pivotal modulators of gene expression and integral participants in various pathological processes, particularly those related to inflammatory disorders. The diverse classes of ncRNAs, encompassing miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs, have been implicated in UC. It highlights their involvement in key UC-related processes, such as immune cell activation, epithelial barrier integrity, and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. ncRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for UC diagnosis and monitoring disease progression, offering promising avenues for personalized medicine. This approach may pave the way for novel, more specific treatments with reduced side effects, addressing the current limitations of conventional therapies. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between ncRNAs and UC will advance our knowledge of the disease, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatments for patients suffering from this debilitating condition. This review explores the pivotal role of ncRNAs in the context of UC, shedding light on their possible targets for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic interventions.

The significance of long non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic relapsing gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases with significant global incidence. Although the pathomechanism of IBD has been extensively investigated, several aspects of its pathogenesis remain unclear. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts with more than 200 nucleotides in length that have potential protein-coding functions. LncRNAs play important roles in biological processes such as epigenetic modification, transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional regulation. In this review, we summarize recent advances in research on IBD-related lncRNAs from the perspective of the overall intestinal microenvironment, as well as their potential roles as immune regulators, diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets or agents for IBD.

Long Non-Coding RNAs and Their "Discrete" Contribution to IBD and Johne's Disease-What Stands out in the Current Picture? A Comprehensive Review

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) have paved the way to new perspectives on the regulation of gene expression, not only in biology and medicine, but also in associated fields and technologies, ensuring advances in diagnostic means and therapeutic modalities. Critical in this multistep approach are the associations of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with diseases and their causal genes in their networks of interactions, gene enrichment and expression analysis, associated pathways, the monitoring of the involved genes and their functional roles during disease progression from one stage to another. Studies have shown that Johne's Disease (JD), caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies partuberculosis (MAP), shares common lncRNAs, clinical findings, and other molecular entities with Crohn's Disease (CD). This has been a subject of vigorous investigation owing to the zoonotic nature of this condition, although results are still inconclusive. In this review, on one hand, the current knowledge of lncRNAs in cells is presented, focusing on the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal-related pathologies and MAP-related infections and, on the other hand, we attempt to dissect the associated genes and pathways involved. Furthermore, the recently characterized and novel lncRNAs share common pathologies with IBD and JD, including the expression, molecular networks, and dataset analysis results. These are also presented in an attempt to identify potential biomarkers pertinent to cattle and human disease phenotypes.

The lncRNA HOXA11os regulates mitochondrial function in myeloid cells to maintain intestinal homeostasis

This study reveals a previously uncharacterized mechanism to restrict intestinal inflammation via a regulatory RNA transcribed from a noncoding genomic locus. We identified a novel transcript of the lncRNA HOXA11os specifically expressed in the distal colon that is reduced to undetectable levels in colitis. HOXA11os is localized to mitochondria under basal conditions and interacts with a core subunit of complex 1 of the electron transport chain (ETC) to maintain its activity. Deficiency of HOXA11os in colonic myeloid cells results in complex I deficiency, dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). As a result, HOXA11os-deficient mice develop spontaneous intestinal inflammation and are hypersusceptible to colitis. Collectively, these studies identify a new regulatory axis whereby a lncRNA maintains intestinal homeostasis and restricts inflammation in the colon through the regulation of complex I activity.

The long non-coding RNA MALAT1 regulates intestine host-microbe interactions and polyposis

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) maintains the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier and regulates local inflammation. However, its influences on intestinal microbial communities and tissue susceptibility to cancer development remain unexplored. Here, we report that MALAT1 regulates host anti-microbial response gene expression and the composition of mucosal-associated microbial communities in a region-specific manner. In the APC mutant mouse model of intestine tumorigenesis, knocking out MALAT1 results in higher polyp counts in the small intestine and colon. Interestingly, intestine polyps that developed in the absence of MALAT1 were smaller in size. These findings highlight the unexpected bivalent role of MALAT1 in restricting and promoting cancer progression at different disease stages. Among the 30 MALAT1-targets shared by both the small intestine and colon, ZNF638 and SENP8 levels are predictive of colon adenoma patient overall survival and disease-free survival. Genomic assays further revealed that MALAT1 modulates intestinal target expression and splicing through both direct and indirect mechanisms. This study expands the role of lncRNAs in regulating intestine homeostasis, microbial communities, and cancer pathogenesis.

Natural flavonoids alleviate glioblastoma multiforme by regulating long non-coding RNA

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Due to the poor prognosis of patients, the median survival time of GBM is often less than 1 year. Therefore, it is very necessary to find novel treatment options with a good prognosis for the treatment or prevention of GBM. In recent years, flavonoids are frequently used to treat cancer. It is a new attractive molecule that may achieve this promising treatment option. Flavonoids have been proved to have many biological functions, such as antioxidation, prevention of angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, and protection of nerve cells. It has also shown the ability to regulate long non-coding RNA (LncRNA). Studies have confirmed that flavonoids can regulate epigenetic modification, transcription, and change microRNA (miRNA) expression of GBM through lncRNA at the gene level. It also found that flavonoids can induce apoptosis and autophagy of GBM cells by regulating lncRNA. Moreover, it can improve the metabolic abnormalities of GBM, interfere with the tumor microenvironment and related signaling pathways, and inhibit the angiogenesis of GBM cells. Eventually, flavonoids can block the tumor initiation, growth, proliferation, differentiation, invasion, and metastasis. In this review, we highlight the role of lncRNA in GBM cancer progression and the influence of flavonoids on lncRNA regulation. And emphasize their expected role in the prevention and treatment of GBM.

LncRNA MALAT1 Targets miR-9-3p to Upregulate SAP97 in the Hippocampus of Mice with Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common subtype of dementia, but the precise mechanism underlying VaD is not fully understood. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) can act as a key regulator in physiological and pathological processes, including neurological disorders, but whether it is correlated with VaD has not been elucidated. In this study, we established a mouse model of VaD by the transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery. As expected, the Morris water maze showed that VaD mice had significant deficits in spatial learning and memory. MALAT1 was elevated in the hippocampus of VaD mice. Additionally, we found that microRNA (miR)-9-3p was downregulated in the VaD hippocampus. By performing a dual-luciferase report assay, we verified the binding relationship between MALAT1 and miR-9-3p. Interestingly, synapse-associated protein-97 (SAP97), a well-known gene related to synaptic functions, was found upregulated in the hippocampus of VaD mice. In vitro experiments performed on hippocampal neurons demonstrated that miR-9-3p negatively regulated SAP97 expression. The downregulation of MALAT1 in hippocampal neurons increased miR-9-3p and reduced SAP97, whereas miR-9-3p inhibition rescued the MALAT1 downregulation-mediated SAP97 reduction. In conclusion, the present study reported the alterations in the expression levels of MALAT1, miR-9-3p, and SAP97 in the hippocampus of VaD mice, suggesting that MALAT1 targets miR-9-3p to upregulate SAP97 in the hippocampus of mice with VaD. This work will be helpful for understanding the molecular mechanisms of VaD.

Novel long non-coding RNAs of relevance for ulcerative colitis pathogenesis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The study aimed to identify yet unknown and uncharacterized long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in treatment-naïve ulcerative colitis (UC), and to define their possible roles in UC pathogenesis. For that purpose, accurate quantification methods for lncRNA transcript detection, multiple and "stringent" strategies were applied. New insights in the regulation of functional genes and pathways of relevance for UC through expression of lncRNAs are expected.

METHODS

The study was based on sequencing data derived from a data set consisting of treatment-naïve UC patients (n = 14) and control subjects (n = 16). Two complementary aligners were used to identify lncRNAs. Several different steps were used to validate differential expression including plotting the reads over the annotation for manual inspection. To help determine potential lncRNA involvement in biological processes, KEGG pathway enrichment was done on protein-coding genes which co-expressed with the lncRNAs.

RESULTS

A total of 99 lncRNAs were identified in UC. The lncRNAs which were not previously characterized (n = 15) in UC or other autoimmune diseases were selected for down-stream analysis. In total, 602 protein-coding genes correlated with the uncharacterized lncRNAs. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed involvement of lncRNAs in two significantly enriched pathways, lipid and atherosclerosis, and T-cell receptor signaling.

CONCLUSION

This study identified a set of 15 yet uncharacterized lncRNAs which may be of importance for UC pathogenesis. These lncRNAs may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers and might be of use for the development of UC treatment strategies in the future.

Knockdown of long non-coding RNA NEAT1 relieves inflammation of ulcerative colitis by regulating the miR-603/FGF9 pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a significant threat to human life. Hence, there is an urgent requirement to understand the mechanism of UC progression and to develop novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of UC. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential significance of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in the progression of UC. NEAT1 expression was detected in colonic mucosa samples from patients with UC and healthy individuals. Fetal human cells (FHCs) were treated with different concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce UC-caused inflammatory injury, and the effects of NEAT1 knockdown were investigated on cytokines production, cell apoptosis and viability. Furthermore, the correlation and regulation between NEAT1 and microRNA (miRNA/miR)-603 and the fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) pathway were investigated. The results demonstrated that NEAT1 expression was upregulated in the colonic mucosa tissues of patients with UC. In addition, significant cell injury was observed in FHCs treated with different concentrations of LPS, with decreased cell viability, and increased apoptosis and inflammatory cytokines production. Conversely, NEAT1 knockdown significantly reduced LPS-induced cell injury in FHCs, which was achieved through negative regulation of miR-603 expression. Furthermore, FGF9 was negatively regulated by miR-603, and thus, FGF9 was identified as a potential target of miR-603. Notably, FGF9 knockdown reversed the suppressing effects of miR-603 on LPS-induced injury in FHCs. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that NEAT1 contributes to the development of UC by regulating the miR-603/FGF9 pathway.

Discovery of new long noncoding RNAs associated with ulcerative colitis with a novel general microarray expression data

UC is a chronic, nonspecific disease and characterized by a chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation, which puts a person at a higher risk of developing bowel cancer, while the causes of UC are unknown. Recently, with the development of microarray technology, more and more studies are focusing on the potential roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis of diseases. The purpose of this study is to devise a method, based on cDNA microarray probe genomics data, to computationally determine the potential function of evolutionary conserved lncRNAs in ulcerative colitis (UC). We analysed a total of 12,593 microarray probes present in the Ensembl, OMIM, UniGene, and Gene Ontology databases. We found that lncRNA n385775 was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients with active UC, while n336281 (P = 0.017), n341081 (P = 0.041), and n387236 (P = 0.006) were significantly lower. Then, we validated our findings by measuring the expression of lncRNAs in colon tissue samples from patients affected by UC. Moreover, we validated the expression pattern of the lncRNAs in two cell lines, Caco2/bbe and T84, treated with TNF-α. In Caco2/bbe cells, lncRNA n385775 was significantly upregulated after TNF-α treatment (P = 0.002). This study reports a novel method to re- annotate the transcriptome expression profile from existing cDNA microarray data as a potential approach to investigate the function of lncRNAs in UC.

Long noncoding RNA KIF9-AS1 promotes cell apoptosis by targeting the microRNA-148a-3p/suppressor of cytokine signaling axis in inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal disease. This study was attempted to investigate the effects of long noncoding RNA KIF9-AS1 (KIF9-AS1) on the development of IBD and its underlying mechanism of action.

METHODS

Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was implemented to examine the expression of KIF9-AS1 and microRNA-148a-3p (miR-148a-3p). The IBD mouse model was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length and histological injury were used to evaluate the colon injury. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. In vitro, IBD was simulated by DSS treatment in colonic cells. Then the apoptosis of colonic cells was detected by flow cytometry assay. Furthermore, a dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to demonstrate the interactions among KIF9-AS1, miR-148a-3p and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS3).

RESULTS

KIF9-AS1 expression was upregulated in IBD patients, DSS-induced IBD mice and DSS-induced colonic cells, whereas miR-148a-3p expression was downregulated. KIF9-AS1 silencing attenuated the apoptosis of DSS-induced colonic cells in vitro and alleviated colon injury and inflammation in DSS-induced IBD mice in vivo. Additionally, the mechanical experiment confirmed that KIF9-AS1 and SOCS3 were both targeted by miR-148a-3p with the complementary binding sites at 3'UTR. Moreover, miR-148a-3p inhibition or SOCS3 overexpression reversed the suppressive effect of KIF9-AS1 silencing on the apoptosis of DSS-induced colonic cells.

CONCLUSION

KIF9-AS1 silencing hampered the colon injury and inflammation in DSS-induced IBD mice in vivo, and restrained the apoptosis of DSS-induced colonic cells by regulating the miR-148a-3p/SOCS3 axis in vitro, providing a new therapeutic target for IBD.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG5 regulates ulcerative colitis via microRNA-375 / Janus kinase-2 axis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intestinal inflammatory disorder. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are collectively involved in UC. This study is designed to explore the roles of lncRNA (small nucleolar RNA host gene 5) SNHG5 in UC. Gene or microRNA (miRNA) expression was detected using RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. Cellular functions were analyzed by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry, and the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TDT)-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content was determined by a cell cytotoxicity assay. The interactions between miR-375 and SNHG5 or Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) were verified by a luciferase reporter assay. SNHG5 was up-regulated in intestinal mucosa tissues of UC patients as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha-treated (TNF-α-treated) young adult mouse colon (YAMC) cells. Down-regulated SNHG5 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of YAMC cells. miR-375 was verified to be a target of SNHG5 and was suppressed by TNF-α treatment in YAMC cells. Over-expression of miR-375 restored YAMC cellular functions. Additionally, miR-375 targeted JAK2, which was up-regulated by TNF-α treated YAMC cells. Up-regulation of JAK2 induced the dysfunction of YAMC cells. Knockdown of SNHG5 promoted the proliferation and suppressed the apoptosis of YAMC cells via regulating miR-375/JAK2 axis. Therefore, knockdown of SNHG5 may be a promising therapy for UC.

lncRNA MIR155HG Accelerates the Progression of Sepsis via Upregulating MEF2A by Sponging miR-194-5p

Long noncoding RNA MIR155HG exerts important effects in the progression of multiple diseases. This study investigated the functions of MIR155HG in sepsis development. Blood samples were collected from 28 patients with sepsis and 28 without sepsis. The murine cardiac muscle cell line (HL-1) and macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as the in vitro sepsis models. The levels of MIR155HG, miR-194-5p, and MEF2A were determined using real-time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit-8 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays were used to assess cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. The association between miR-194-5p and MIR155HG or MEF2A was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, we demonstrated that MIR155HG expression was significantly increased in sepsis blood samples, RAW 264.7, and HL-1 cells treated with LPS. Silencing of MIR155HG promoted cell viability and obstructed cell apoptosis and inflammation of RAW 264.7 and HL-1 cells treated with LPS. MiR-194-5p depletion abrogated cell viability promotion and suppressive effect on cell apoptosis and inflammation caused by MIR155HG knockdown. In addition, MIR155HG upregulated MEF2A through interaction with miR-194-5p. Finally, rescue assays indicated that MEF2A overexpression abolished the inhibitory effect on sepsis progression induced by MIR155HG deletion. In conclusion, MIR155HG promotes sepsis progression in an in vitro sepsis model by modulating the miR-194-5p/MEF2A axis. This discovery provides a promising biomarker for sepsis therapy.