LncRNA PVT1 Promotes Neuronal Cell Apoptosis and Neuroinflammation by Regulating miR-488-3p/FOXD3/SCN2A Axis in Epilepsy

LncRNA PVT1 promotes neuroinflammation after intracerebral hemorrhage by regulating the miR-128-3p/TXNIP axis

OBJECTIVE

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has significant morbidity and mortality. TXNIP and the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory mechanism involved in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) play roles in ICH. We probed the upstream microRNAs (miRNAs)/lncRNAs that regulated TXNIP expression in the ceRNA mechanism.

METHODS

ICH mouse model was established, and ICH secondary injury was simulated in BV2 microglia by hemin treatment. TXNIP was silenced 48 h before ICH modeling. The ICH mouse brain water content (BWC) and brain lesion volume after ICH were recorded. Neuronal apoptosis and neurological deficits were evaluated by double staining of NeuN and TUNEL/modified Garcia/corner turn/forelimb placement tests. Iba1 + microglia number and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interleukin-1β (IL-1β)/IL-10/TXNIP/PVT1/miR-128-3p levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, ELISA, and RT-qPCR. Cell viability/death of BV2 cells conditioned medium-treated neuron HT22 cells were assessed by CCK-8/LDH assays. miRNA that had a targeted binding relationship with TXNIP was screened. The targeted bindings of miR-128-3p to TXNIP/PVT1 to miR-128-3p were verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

TXNIP knockdown reduced post-ICH microglial activation/release of pro-inflammatory factors/brain edema/brain lesion volume/neurological deficits in mice and increased releases of anti-inflammatory factors. TXNIP/PVT1 knockdown inhibited hemin-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 cells and protected in vitro co-cultured HT22 cells. PVT1 was a sponge of miR-128-3p to repress TXNIP expression. miR-128-3p knockdown diminished PVT1 knockdown-inhibited hemin-induced BV2 cell inflammatory responses/neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

PVT1 silencing reduced hemin-induced neuroinflammation and had a protective effect on neurons by increasing the targeted inhibition of TXNIP by miR-128-3p.

Epigenetic regulation in epilepsy: A novel mechanism and therapeutic strategy for epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures with excessive and abnormal neuronal discharges. Epileptogenesis is usually involved in neuropathological processes such as ion channel dysfunction, neuronal injury, inflammatory response, synaptic plasticity, gliocyte proliferation and mossy fiber sprouting, currently the pathogenesis of epilepsy is not yet completely understood. A growing body of studies have shown that epigenetic regulation, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and restrictive element-1 silencing transcription factor/neuron-restrictive silencing factor (REST/NRSF) are also involved in epilepsy. Through epigenetic studies, we found that the synaptic dysfunction, nerve damage, cognitive dysfunction and brain development abnormalities are affected by epigenetic regulation of epilepsy-related genes in patients with epilepsy. However, the functional roles of epigenetics in pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy are still to be explored. Therefore, profiling the array of genes that are epigenetically dysregulated in epileptogenesis is likely to advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of epilepsy and may for the amelioration of these serious human conditions provide novel insight into therapeutic strategies and diagnostic biomarkers for epilepsy to improve serious human condition.

Sequencing Reveals miRNAs Enriched in the Developing Mouse Enteric Nervous System

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an essential network of neurons and glia in the bowel wall. Defects in ENS development can result in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), a life-threatening condition characterized by severe constipation, abdominal distention, bilious vomiting, and failure to thrive. A growing body of literature connects HSCR to alterations in miRNA expression, but there are limited data on the normal miRNA landscape in the developing ENS. We sequenced small RNAs (smRNA-seq) and messenger RNAs (mRNA-seq) from ENS precursor cells of mid-gestation Ednrb-EGFP mice and compared them to aggregated RNA from all other cells in the developing bowel. Our smRNA-seq results identified 73 miRNAs that were significantly enriched and highly expressed in the developing ENS, with miR-9, miR-27b, miR-124, miR-137, and miR-488 as our top 5 miRNAs that are conserved in humans. However, contrary to prior reports, our follow-up analyses of miR-137 showed that loss of Mir137 in Nestin-cre, Wnt1-cre, Sox10-cre, or Baf53b-cre lineage cells had no effect on mouse survival or ENS development. Our data provide important context for future studies of miRNAs in HSCR and other ENS diseases and highlight open questions about facility-specific factors in development.

LncRNA PVT1 induces apoptosis and inflammatory response of bronchial epithelial cells by regulating miR-30b-5p/BCL2L11 axis in COPD

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious health burden worldwide with high mortality. LncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been illustrated to serve as a biomarker for COPD progression. Nonetheless, its specific functions and mechanisms in COPD are unclarified.

METHODS

Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) was utilized to stimulate 16HBE cells, and cigarette smoke combining with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was employed to induce COPD in rats. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were utilized for measuring protein and RNA levels. Flow cytometry was implemented for detecting cell apoptosis. Concentrations of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IFN-γ were examined using ELISA. Luciferase reporter assay was utilized for verifying the interaction between molecules. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed for histological analysis of rat lung tissues.

RESULTS

PVT1 was highly expressed in CSE-stimulated 16HBE cells and the lungs of COPD rats. PVT1 depletion restored the viability, restrained apoptosis and hindered inflammatory cytokine production in 16HBE cells under CSE treatment and alleviated pathological damages in COPD rats. PVT1 bound to miR-30b-5p and miR-30b-5p targeted BCL2 like 11 (BCL2L11). Overexpressing BCL2L11 offset the above effects mediated by PVT1 in CSE-triggered 16HBE cells.

CONCLUSION

PVT1 enhances apoptosis and inflammation of 16HBE cells under CSE stimulation by modulating miR-30b-5p/BCL2L11 axis.

MicroRNA-488: A miRNA with diverse roles and clinical applications in cancer and other human diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of approximately 50 % of all protein-coding genes. They have been demonstrated to act as key regulators in various pathophysiological processes and play significant roles in a wide range of human diseases, particularly cancer. Current research highlights the aberrant expression of microRNA-488 (miR-488) in multiple human diseases and its critical involvement in disease initiation and progression. Moreover, the expression level of miR-488 has been linked to clinicopathological features and patient prognosis across different diseases. However, a comprehensive systematic review of miR-488 is lacking. Therefore, our study aims to consolidate the current knowledge surrounding miR-488, with a primary focus on its emerging biological functions, regulatory mechanisms, and potential clinical applications in human diseases. Through this review, we aim to establish a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles of miR-488 in the development of various diseases.

The dysregulation of miRNAs in epilepsy and their regulatory role in inflammation and apoptosis

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide, and it is characterized by the occurrence of recurrent seizures. The pathogenesis of epilepsy is complex, involving dysregulation of various genes and signaling pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that play a vital role in the regulation of gene expression. They have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, acting as key regulators of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the miRNA regulatory network in epilepsy. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the regulatory miRNAs involved in inflammation and apoptosis in epilepsy and discusses its potential as a new avenue for developing targeted therapies for the treatment of epilepsy.