Unique MicroRNAs Signature of Lymphocyte of Yang and Yin Syndromes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Multi-omics approaches for deciphering the complexity of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in stroke: A systematic review

Background: Deciphering the biological basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in complex diseases is challenging. Rapid advances in multi-omics approaches provide new opportunities to unveil the biological basis of TCM syndromes. We intend to summarize the latest significant progress and highlight the crucial value of applying multi-omics approaches to reveal TCM syndromes of stroke in a new horizon.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC), Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Wanfang database and China Biology Medicine Database (SinoMed) for relevant studies from their inception to 31 March 2022, and conducted a comprehensive systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021285922).

Results: A total of 43 relevant studies were included in the final systematic review, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics were all involved. Some gene polymorphisms, differential lncRNAs, mRNAs, miRNAs, proteins, and metabolites may be associated with TCM syndromes of stroke. In addition, some studies conducted a preliminary exploration on the different diseases with the same TCM syndrome. The results showed that thioredoxin-dependent peroxidase reductase may be the specific marker protein of Liver-yang transforming into wind syndrome, and the network formed by mir-146b-5p, -199a-5p, and 23 targeted mRNAs may be the biomarker of Blood-stasis syndrome.

Conclusion: Multi-omics technologies have served as powerful tools to investigate the complexity of TCM syndromes and may hold the promise of promoting the modernization of TCM as well as personalized medicine of TCM in stroke.

Structural and Pharmacological Network Analysis of miRNAs Involved in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is among the main causes of mortality worldwide. A rapid and opportune diagnosis is crucial to improve a patient’s outcomes; despite the current advanced image technologies for diagnosis, their implementation is challenging. MicroRNAs have been recognized as useful as biomarkers since they are specific and stable for characterization of AIS. However, there is still a lack of consensus over the primary miRNAs implicated in AIS. Here, we performed a systematic review of the literature covering from 2015–2021 regarding miRNAs expression during AIS and built structural networks to analyze and identify the most common miRNAs expressed during AIS and shared pathways, genes, and compounds that seem to influence their expression. We identified two sets of miRNAs: on one side, a set that was independent of geographical location and tissue (miR-124, miR-107, miR-221, miR-223, miR-140, miR-151a, miR-181a, miR-320b, and miR-484); and on the other side, a set that was connected (hubs) in biological networks (miR-27b-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-570-3p, miR-19a-3p, miR-101-3p and miR-25-3p), which altered FOXO3, FOXO4, and EP300 genes. Interestingly, such genes are involved in cell death, FOXO-mediated transcription, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling pathways. Finally, our pharmacological network analysis depicted a set of toxicants and drugs related to AIS for the first time.

Upregulation of MicroRNA-128 in the Peripheral Blood of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients is Correlated with Stroke Severity Partially through Inhibition of Neuronal Cell Cycle Reentry

MiR-128, one of the most enriched miRNAs in the human brain, has been reported to protect MCAO mice via inhibiting P38α MAPK. Whether it is involved in pathogenesis in acute ischemic stroke patients remains to be determined. The present study focused on the clinical importance of miR-128 and its underlying mechanisms. We detected miR-128 levels in the circulating lymphocytes, neutrophils, and plasma of acute ischemic stroke patients by using RT-PCR. miR-128 levels were significantly elevated in circulating lymphocytes, neutrophils, and plasma of patients with acute ischemic stroke. In addition, miR-128 levels in circulating lymphocytes correlated positively with the infarction volume, NIHSS scores at 7 days and mRS at 90 days after ischemic stroke onset. Subsequent KEGG pathway analysis showed that the MAPK signaling pathway and cell cycle are among the pathways targeted by miR-128. Although no correlation was found between miR-128 in plasma and peripheral inflammatory cell numbers, miR-128 decreased in the penumbra and increased in the infarction core of ipsilateral brain tissues in MCAO mice. Moreover, an in vitro study demonstrated that miR-128 antagomir aggravated primary neuronal damage and exacerbated cell cycle reactivation induced by OGD/R stimulation; the underlying mechanism involved increasing cyclin A2, PTEN, and ERK expression and promoting phosphorylation of PTEN and ERK. From the above results, we concluded that the upregulation of miR-128 in circulating lymphocytes of acute ischemic stroke patients was correlated with stroke severity and miR-128 antagomir exacerbated ischemia-reperfusion induced neuronal injury via promoting neuronal cell cycle reentry.