Downregulation of miR-17 suppresses TGF-β1-mediated renal fibrosis through targeting Smad7

Extracellular vesicles secreted by equine adipose mesenchymal stem cells preconditioned with transforming growth factor β-1 are enriched in anti-fibrotic miRNAs and inhibit the expression of fibrotic genes in an in vitro system of endometrial stromal cells fibrosis

Mare endometrosis is a major reproductive problem associated with low fertility and is characterized by persistent inflammation, TGFβ-1 signaling, and consequently, extracellular matrix deposition, which compromises endometrial glands. Mesenchymal stem cell-based products (MSCs), such as extracellular vesicles (EVs), have gained attention due to the regulatory effects exerted by their miRNA cargo. Here, we evaluated the impact of preconditioning equine adipose mesenchymal stem cells with TGFβ-1 for short or long periods on the anti-fibrotic properties of secreted extracellular vesicles. MSCs were isolated from six healthy horses and exposed to TGFβ-1 for 4, 24, and 0 h. The expression of anti-fibrotic and pro-fibrotic miRNAs and mRNAs in treated cells and miRNAs in the cargo of secreted extracellular vesicles was measured. The resulting EVs were added for 48 h to endometrial stromal cells previously induced to a fibrotic status. The expression of anti-fibrotic and pro-fibrotic genes and miRNAs was evaluated in said cells using qPCR and next-generation sequencing. Preconditioning MSCs with TGFβ-1 for 4 h enriched the anti-fibrotic miRNAs (mir29c, mir145, and mir200) in cells and EVs. Conversely, preconditioning the cells for 24 h leads to a pro-fibrotic phenotype overexpressing mir192 and mir433. This finding might have implications for developing an EV-based protocol to treat endometrial fibrosis in mares.

Cellular phenotypic transitions in diabetic nephropathy: An update

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes and is the most common cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal fibrosis is the final pathological change in DN. It is widely believed that cellular phenotypic switching is the cause of renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Several types of kidney cells undergo activation and differentiation and become reprogrammed to express markers of mesenchymal cells or podocyte-like cells. However, the development of targeted therapy for DN has not yet been identified. Here, we discussed the pathophysiologic changes of DN and delineated the possible origins that contribute to myofibroblasts and podocytes through phenotypic transitions. We also highlight the molecular signaling pathways involved in the phenotypic transition, which would provide valuable information for the activation of phenotypic switching and designing effective therapies for DN.

Serum non-coding RNAs for diagnosis and stage of liver fibrosis

Background

All chronic liver diseases could lead to liver fibrosis. Accurate diagnosis and stage of fibrosis were important for the medical determination, management, and therapy. Liver biopsy was considered to be the gold criteria of fibrosis diagnosis. However, liver biopsy was an invasive method with some drawbacks. Non‐invasive tests for liver fibrosis included radiologic method and serum‐based test. Radiologic examination was influenced by obesity, cost, and availability. Serum‐based test was widely used in the screening and diagnostic of liver fibrosis. However, the accuracy was still needed to be improved.

Methods

Recent studies showed serum non‐coding RNAs: microRNA, long non‐coding RNA(lncRNA), and circular RNA(circRNA), which have the potentiality to be non‐invasive markers for liver fibrosis. The recent progress was summarized in this review.

Results

These studies showed serum non‐coding RNAs exerted a good diagnostic performance for liver fibrosis. A panel that included several non‐coding RNAs could increase the accuracy of single marker.

Conclusions

Serum microRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs could be potential non‐invasive markers for diagnosis and stage of liver fibrosis. More high‐quality clinical study is needed for further research.

The Hepatoprotective Effect of Piperine Against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice: The Involvement of miR-17 and TGF-β/Smads Pathways

Liver fibrosis is characterized by a series of events including activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into proinflammatory, contractile, and fibrogenic myofibroblasts, which is the primary trigger for the fibrogenesis process. HSC activation involves many signaling pathways such as the TGF-β/smads pathway. Specific microRNAs have been identified to play a crucial role in the activation of HSCs via various signaling pathways. Piperine has recently been studied as a promising anti-fibrotic agent against pancreatic fibrosis through altering the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Hence, the current study evaluated the beneficial effects of piperine in thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in mice through the modulation of miRNA-17 and TGF-β/smads pathways. Mice were allocated into three groups randomly. Thioacetamide was used to induce liver fibrosis for 6 weeks. Starting from the fourth week of the experiment, mice were treated with piperine daily for 21 days. Piperine treatment resulted in a significant downregulation of miRNA-17 expression, leading to the restoration of smad-7 accompanied with marked inhibition of TGF-β/smads signaling with further suppression of the activated HSCs and collagen deposition in the hepatocytes. In conclusion, piperine has the potential to be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of liver fibrosis through inhibiting the TGF-β/smads pathway.