Cell Cycle Regulation of Stem Cells by MicroRNAs

miR-449a Mediated Repression of the Cell Cycle Machinery Prevents Neuronal Apoptosis

Aberrant activation of the cell cycle of terminally-differentiated neurons results in their apoptosis and is known to contribute to neuronal loss in various neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's Disease. However, the mechanisms that regulate Cell Cycle Related Neuronal Apoptosis (CRNA) are poorly understood. We identified several miRNA that are dysregulated in neurons from a transgenic APP/PS1 mouse model for AD (TgAD). Several of these miRNA are known to and/or are predicted to target cell cycle-related genes. Detailed investigation on miR-449a revealed: a. it promotes neuronal differentiation by suppressing the neuronal cell cycle; b. its expression in cortical neurons was impaired in response to amyloid peptide Aβ42; c. loss of its expression resulted in aberrant activation of the cell cycle leading to apoptosis. miR-449a may prevent CRNA by targeting cyclin D1 and protein phosphatase CDC25A, which are important for G1-S transition. Importantly, the lentiviral mediated delivery of miR-449a in TgAD mouse brain significantly reverted the defects in learning and memory, which are associated with AD.

Gene Variants in Components of the microRNA Processing Pathway in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Current therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has improved patient life expectancy close to that of healthy individuals. However, molecular alterations other than BCR::ABL1 fusion gene in CML are barely known. MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression, and variants in some of the components of microRNA biosynthesis pathways have been associated with genetic susceptibility to different types of cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of variants located in genes involved in the biogenesis of microRNAs with susceptibility to CML. Fifteen variants in eight genes involved in the biogenesis of miRNAs were genotyped in 296 individuals with CML and 485 healthy participants using TaqMan probes. The association of gene variants with CML and clinical variables was evaluated by a Chi-square test, and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by logistic regression. The variant rs13078 in DICER1 was significantly higher among CML individuals than in healthy participants. In addition, the variants rs7813 and rs2740349 were significantly associated with worse prognosis, according to their Hasford scores, whereas the rs2740349 variant was also associated with a later age at diagnosis. These findings suggest that variants in components of the microRNA biogenesis pathway could be involved in CML genetic risk.

microRNA-181a-5p promotes fibroblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in rats with pelvic floor dysfunction

The use of stem cells capable of multilineage differentiation in treating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) holds great promise since they are susceptible to entering connective tissue of various cell types and repairing damaged tissues. This research investigated the effect of microRNA-181a-5p (miR-181a-5p) on Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) in rats with PFD. BMSCs were transfected and analyzed for their fibroblast differentiation ability. miR-181a-5p, MFN1, and fibroblast-related genes were quantitatively analyzed. Whether MFN1 is a target gene of miR-181a-5p was predicted and confirmed. The efficacy of BMSCs in vivo rats with PFD was evaluated by measuring Leak Point Pressure (LPP), Conscious Cystometry (CMG), hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Masson staining. The present results discovered that miR-181a-5p was up-regulated and MFN1 was down-regulated during the differentiation of BMSCs into fibroblasts. Fibroblast differentiation of BMSCs was promoted after miR-181a-5p was induced or MFN1 was suppressed, but it was suppressed after miR-181a-5p was silenced. miR-181a-5p improved LPP and conscious CMG outcomes in PDF rats by targeting MFN1 expression, thereby accelerating fibroblast differentiation of BMSCs. In brief, miR-181a-5p induces fibroblast differentiation of BMSCs in PDF rats by MFN1, potentially targeting PDF therapeutics.

Stemness subtypes in lower-grade glioma with prognostic biomarkers, tumor microenvironment, and treatment response

Our research endeavors are directed towards unraveling the stem cell characteristics of lower-grade glioma patients, with the ultimate goal of formulating personalized treatment strategies. We computed enrichment stemness scores and performed consensus clustering to categorize phenotypes. Subsequently, we constructed a prognostic risk model using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), random survival forest regression analysis as well as full subset regression analysis. To validate the expression differences of key genes, we employed experimental methods such as quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and assessed cell line proliferation, migration, and invasion. Three subtypes were assigned to patients diagnosed with LGG. Notably, Cluster 2 (C2), exhibiting the poorest survival outcomes, manifested characteristics indicative of the subtype characterized by immunosuppression. This was marked by elevated levels of M1 macrophages, activated mast cells, along with higher immune and stromal scores. Four hub genes-CDCA8, ORC1, DLGAP5, and SMC4-were identified and validated through cell experiments and qPCR. Subsequently, these validated genes were utilized to construct a stemness risk signature. Which revealed that Lower-Grade Glioma (LGG) patients with lower scores were more inclined to demonstrate favorable responses to immune therapy. Our study illuminates the stemness characteristics of gliomas, which lays the foundation for developing therapeutic approaches targeting CSCs and enhancing the efficacy of current immunotherapies. By identifying the stemness subtype and its correlation with prognosis and TME patterns in glioma patients, we aim to advance the development of personalized treatments, enhancing the ability to predict and improve overall patient prognosis.

Long Noncoding RNA PSMB8-AS1 Mediates the Tobacco-Carcinogen-Induced Transformation of a Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell Line by Regulating Cell Cycle

Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer deaths around the world. Nitrosamine 4-(methyl nitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is a tobacco-specific carcinogen of lung cancer. Abundant evidence implicates long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumorigenesis. Yet, the effects and mechanisms of lncRNAs in NNK-induced carcinogenesis are still unclear. In this study, we discovered that NNK-induced transformed Beas-2B cells (Beas-2B-NNK) showed increased cell migration and proliferation while decreasing rates of apoptosis. RNA sequencing and differentially expressed lncRNAs analyses showed that lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 was obviously upregulated. Interestingly, silencing the lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 in Beas-2B-NNK cells reduced cell proliferation and migration and produced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase along with a decrease in CDK1 expression. Conclusively, our results demonstrate that lncRNA PSMB8-AS1 could promote the malignant characteristics of Beas-2B-NNK cells by regulating CDK1 and affecting the cell cycle, suggesting that it may supply a new prospective epigenetic mechanism for lung cancer.

Cancer therapy by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs): bench to bedside

A major characteristic of cancer is dysregulated cell division, which results in aberrant growth of cells. Consequently, medicinal targets that prevent cell division would be useful in the fight against cancer. The primary regulator of proliferation is a complex consisting of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). The FDA has granted approval for CDK inhibitors (CDKIs) to treat metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Specifically, CDK4/6 CDKIs block the enzyme activity of CDK4 and CDK6. Unfortunately, the majority of first-generation CDK inhibitors, also known as pan-CDK inhibitors because they target multiple CDKs, have not been authorized for clinical use owing to their serious side effects and lack of selection. In contrast to this, significant advancements have been created to permit the use of pan-CDK inhibitors in therapeutic settings. Notably, the toxicity and negative consequences of pan-CDK inhibitors have been lessened in recent years thanks to the emergence of combination therapy tactics. Therefore, pan-CDK inhibitors have renewed promise for clinical use when used in a combination regimen. The members of the CDK family have been reviewed and their primary roles in cell cycle regulation were covered in this review. Next, we provided an overview of the state of studies on CDK inhibitors.

The Multifaceted Role of miR-21 in Pancreatic Cancers

With the lack of specific signs and symptoms, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is often diagnosed at late metastatic stages, resulting in poor survival outcomes. Among various biomarkers, microRNA-21 (miR-21), a small non-coding RNA, is highly expressed in PDAC. By inhibiting regulatory proteins at the 3' untranslated regions (UTR), miR-21 holds significant roles in PDAC cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, as well as cancer invasion, metastasis, and resistance therapy. We conducted a systematic search across major databases for articles on miR-21 and pancreatic cancer mainly published within the last decade, focusing on their diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic, and biological roles. This rigorous approach ensured a comprehensive review of miR-21's multifaceted role in pancreatic cancers. In this review, we explore the current understandings and future directions regarding the regulation, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of targeting miR-21 in PDAC. This exhaustive review discusses the involvement of miR-21 in proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis modulation, angiogenesis, and its role in therapy resistance. Also discussed in the review is the interplay between various molecular pathways that contribute to tumor progression, with specific reference to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Tumor microenvironment of cancer stem cells: Perspectives on cancer stem cell targeting

There are few tumor cell subpopulations with stem cell characteristics in tumor tissue, defined as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs), which can reconstruct neoplasms with malignant biological behaviors such as invasiveness via self-renewal and unlimited generation. The microenvironment that CSCs depend on consists of various cellular components and corresponding medium components. Among these factors existing at a variety of levels and forms, cytokine networks and numerous signal pathways play an important role in signaling transduction. These factors promote or maintain cancer cell stemness, and participate in cancer recurrence, metastasis, and resistance. This review aims to summarize the recent molecular data concerning the multilayered relationship between CSCs and CSC-favorable microenvironments. We also discuss the therapeutic implications of targeting this synergistic interplay, hoping to give an insight into targeting cancer cell stemness for tumor therapy and prognosis.

Association between miR-202, miR-211, and miR-1238 gene polymorphisms and risk of vitiligo

Vitiligo, as a common pigment defect in the skin, hair, and mucous membranes, results from the destruction of melanocytes. Recent investigations have shown that miRNA dysregulation contributes in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Therefore, in this research, our aim is to explore the relationship between miR-202 rs12355840, miR-211 rs8039189, and miR-1238 rs12973308 polymorphisms and susceptibility to vitiligo. A total number of 136 vitiligo patients and 129 healthy individuals as a control group were included in this research. The salting out approach was implemented to extraction genomic DNA. The genetic polymorphisms of miR-202 rs12355840, miR-211 rs8039189, and miR-1238 rs12973308 were determined using PCR-RFLP approach. The findings revealed that miR-202 rs12355840 polymorphism under codominant (CT and TT genotypes), dominant, recessive, overdominant, and also allelic models is correlated with increased risk of vitiligo. In addition, codominant, dominant, overdominant, as well as allelic models of miR-211 rs8039189 polymorphism decrease risk of vitiligo. No significant relationship was observed between the miR-1238 rs12973308 polymorphism and susceptibility to vitiligo. The miR-211 rs8039189 polymorphism may serve a protective effect on vitiligo development and miR-202 rs12355840 polymorphism may act as a risk factor for vitiligo susceptibility.

Exosomal microRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in corneal diseases

Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicle (EV) that are released and found in almost all body fluids. Exosomes consist of and carry a variety of bioactive molecules, including genetic information in the form of microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNA, a type of small non-coding RNA, plays a key role in regulating genes by suppressing their translation. miRNAs are often disrupted in the pathophysiology of different conditions, including eye disease. The stability and easy detectability of exosomal miRNAs in body fluids make them promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of different diseases. Additionally, due to the natural delivery capabilities of exosomes, they can be modified to transport therapeutic miRNAs to specific recipient cells. Most exosome research has primarily focused on cancer, so there is limited research highlighting the importance of exosomes in ocular biology, particularly in cornea-associated pathologies. This review provides an overview of the existing evidence regarding the primary functions of exosomal miRNAs and their potential role in diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the human cornea.

Influence of β-catenin signaling on neurogenesis in neuropsychiatric disorders: Anxiety and depression

It has been proven that stress, mainly in the early years of life, can lead to anxiety and mood problems. Current treatments for psychiatric disorders are not enough, and some of them show intolerable side effects, emphasizing the urgent need for new treatment targets. Hence, a better understanding of the different brain networks, which are involved in the response to anxiety and depression, may evoke treatments with more specific targets. One of these targets is β-catenin that regulates brain circuits. β-Catenin has a dual response toward stress, which may influence coping or vulnerability to stress response. Indeed, β-catenin signaling involves several processes such as inflammation-directed brain repair, inflammation-induced brain damage, and neurogenesis. Interestingly, β-catenin reduction is accompanied by low neurogenesis, which leads to anxiety and depression. However, in another state, this reduction activates a compensatory mechanism that enhances neurogenesis to protect against depression but may precipitate anxiety. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism of β-catenin could enhance our knowledge about anxiety and depression's pathophysiology, potentially improving clinical results by targeting it. Herein, the different states of β-catenin were discussed, shedding light on possible drugs that showed action on psychiatric disorders through β-catenin.

The miR-669a-5p/G3BP/HDAC6/AKAP12 Axis Regulates Primary Cilia Length

Primary cilia are conserved organelles in most mammalian cells, acting as "antennae" to sense external signals. Maintaining a physiological cilium length is required for cilium function. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potent gene expression regulators, and aberrant miRNA expression is closely associated with ciliopathies. However, how miRNAs modulate cilium length remains elusive. Here, using the calcium-shock method and small RNA sequencing, a miRNA is identified, namely, miR-669a-5p, that is highly expressed in the cilia-enriched noncellular fraction. It is shown that miR-669a-5p promotes cilium elongation but not cilium formation in cultured cells. Mechanistically, it is demonstrated that miR-669a-5p represses ras-GTPase-activating protein SH3-domain-binding protein (G3BP) expression to inhibit histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) expression, which further upregulates A-kinase anchor protein 12 (AKAP12) expression. This effect ultimately blocks cilia disassembly and leads to greater cilium length, which can be restored to wild-type lengths by either upregulating HDAC6 or downregulating AKAP12. Collectively, these results elucidate a previously unidentified miR-669a-5p/G3BP/HDAC6/AKAP12 signaling pathway that regulates cilium length, providing potential pharmaceutical targets for treating ciliopathies.

Rapid ultra-sensitive nucleic acid detection using plasmonic fiber-optic spectral combs and gold nanoparticle-tagged targets

Nucleic acid (NA) is a widely-used biomarker for viruses. Accurate quantification of NA can provide a reliable basis for point-of-care diagnosis and treatment. Here, we propose a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG)-based plasmonic fiber-optic spectral comb for fast response and ultralow limit NA detection. The TFBG is coated with a gold film which enables excitation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and single-stranded probe NAs with known base sequences are assembled on the gold film. To enhance sensitivity of refractive index (RI) for sensing a chosen combination of probe and target NAs around the TFBG surface, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are bonded to the target NA molecules as "RI-labels". The NA combination-induced aggregation of AuNPs induces significant spectral responses in the TFBG that would be below the detection threshold for the NAs in the absence of the AuNPs. The proposed TFBG-SPR NA sensor shows a fast response time of 30 s and an ultra-wide NA detection range from 1 × 10-18 mol/L to 1 × 10-7 mol/L. In the NA concentration range of 1 × 10-12 mol/L (1 pM) to 105 pM, an ultra-high sensitivity of 1.534 dB/lg(pM) is obtained. The sensor achieves an ultra-low limit of detection down to 1.0 × 10-18 mol/L (1 aM), which is more than an order of magnitude lower than the previous reports. The proposed sensor not only shows potentials in practical applications of NA detection, but also provides a new way for TFBG-SPR biochemical sensors to achieve higher RI sensitivity.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy: Pilot Study for Maternal and Neonatal MicroRNA Profiles

This pilot study explores alterations in miRNA profiles among pregnant women and their neonates upon receiving different doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Blood samples, including maternal blood (MB) and neonatal cord blood (CB), collected from five pregnant women were scrutinized using the miRNA PanelChip Analysis System, identifying nine distinct miRNAs, including miR-451a and miR-1972, which exhibited significant downregulation with two vaccine doses in both MB and CB. When compared with women vaccinated with four doses, miR-486-5p, miR-451a, and miR-1972 in the two-dose group also showed notable downregulation. Evaluating recipients of three and four doses, miR-423-5p and miR-1972 expression were significantly reduced in both MB and CB. Further comparative analysis highlighted a decline in miR-223-3p expression with increasing vaccine doses, while miR15a-5p, miR-16-5p, and miR-423-5p showed an upward trend. Notably, miR-451a, miR-1972, and miR-423-5p levels varied across doses and were associated with pathways such as "PI3K-Akt", "neurotrophin signaling", and "cortisol synthesis", suggesting the profound influence of vaccination on diverse molecular mechanisms. Our research has uncovered that escalating vaccine dosages impact miRNA profiles, which may be associated with the immunological response mechanisms in both the mother and fetus, thus indicating a substantial impact of vaccination on various molecular processes.

Evidence for Functional Roles of MicroRNAs in Lineage Specification During Mouse and Human Preimplantation Development

Proper formation of the blastocyst, including the specification of the first embryonic cellular lineages, is required to ensure healthy embryo development and can significantly impact the success of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). However, the regulatory role of microRNAs in early development, particularly in the context of preimplantation lineage specification, remains largely unknown. Taking a cross-species approach, this review aims to summarize the expression dynamics and functional significance of microRNAs in the differentiation and maintenance of lineage identity in both the mouse and the human. Findings are consolidated from studies conducted using in vitro embryonic stem cell models representing the epiblast, trophectoderm, and primitive endoderm lineages (modeled by naïve embryonic stem cells, trophoblast stem cells, and extraembryonic endoderm stem cells, respectively) to provide insight on what may be occurring in the embryo. Additionally, studies directly conducted in both mouse and human embryos are discussed, emphasizing similarities to the stem cell models and the gaps in our understanding, which will hopefully lead to further investigation of these areas. By unraveling the intricate mechanisms by which microRNAs regulate the specification and maintenance of cellular lineages in the blastocyst, we can leverage this knowledge to further optimize stem cell-based models such as the blastoids, enhance embryo competence, and develop methods of non-invasive embryo selection, which can potentially increase the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies and improve the experiences of those receiving fertility treatments.

Exploring the role of miRNAs in early chicken embryonic development and their significance

In the early stages of embryonic development, a precise and strictly controlled hierarchy of gene expression is essential to ensure proper development of all cell types and organs. To better understand this gene control process, we constructed a small RNA library from 1- to 5-day-old chick embryos, and identified 2,459 miRNAs including 827 existing, 695 known, and 937 novel miRNAs with bioinformatic analysis. There was absolute high expression of a number of miRNAs in each stage, including gga-miR-363-3p (Em1d), gga-miR-26a-5p (Em2d and Em3d), gga-miR-10a-5p (Em4d), and gga-miR-199-5p (Em5d). We evaluated enriched miRNA profiles, identifying VEGF, Insulin, ErbB, MAPK, Hedgehog, TLR and Hippo signaling pathways as primary regulatory mechanisms enabling complex morphogenetic transformations within tight temporal constraints. Pathway analysis revealed miRNAs as pivotal nodes of interaction, coordinating cascades of gene expression critical for cell fate determination, proliferation, migration, and differentiation across germ layers and developing organ systems. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) generated hub miRNAs whose modular connections spanned regulatory networks, including: gga-miR-181a-3p (blue module), coordinating immunegenesis and myogenesis; gga-miR-126-3p (brown module), regulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis; gga-miR-302c-5p (turquoise module), enabling pluripotency and self-renew; and gga-miR-429-3p (yellow module), modulating neurogenesis and osteogenesis. The findings of this study extend the knowledge of miRNA expression in early embryonic development of chickens, providing insights into the intricate gene control process that helps ensure proper development.

Identification of the methotrexate resistance-related diagnostic markers in osteosarcoma via adaptive total variation netNMF and multi-omics datasets

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumors with high chemoresistance and poor prognosis, exhibiting abnormal gene regulation and epigenetic events. Methotrexate (MTX) is often used as a primary agent in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma; However, the high dosage of methotrexate and strong drug resistance limit its therapeutic efficacy and application prospects. Studies have shown that abnormal expression and dysfunction of some coding or non-coding RNAs (e.g., DNA methylation and microRNA) affect key features of osteosarcoma progression, such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance. Comprehensive multi-omics analysis is critical to understand its chemoresistant and pathogenic mechanisms. Currently, the network analysis-based non-negative matrix factorization (netNMF) method is widely used for multi-omics data fusion analysis. However, the effects of data noise and inflexible settings of regularization parameters affect its performance, while integrating and processing different types of genetic data is also a challenge. In this study, we introduced a novel adaptive total variation netNMF (ATV-netNMF) method to identify feature modules and characteristic genes by integrating methylation and gene expression data, which can adaptively choose an anisotropic smoothing scheme to denoise or preserve feature details based on the gradient information of the data by introducing an adaptive total variation constraint in netNMF. By comparing with other similar methods, the results showed that the proposed method could extract multi-omics fusion features more effectively. Furthermore, by combining the mRNA and miRNA data of methotrexate (MTX) resistance with the extracted feature genes, four genes, Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), LIM, SH3 protein 1 (LASP1), Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 1 (PDK1) and Serine beta-lactamase-like protein (LACTB) were finally identified. The results showed that the gene signature could reliably predict the prognostic status and immune status of osteosarcoma patients.

CADM1 impairs the effect of miR-1246 on promoting cell cycle progression in chemo-resistant leukemia cells

The interruption of normal cell cycle execution acts as an important part to the development of leukemia. It was reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) were closely related to tumorigenesis and progression, and their aberrant expression had been demonstrated to play a crucial role in numerous types of cancer. Our previous study showed that miR-1246 was preferentially overexpressed in chemo-resistant leukemia cell lines, and participated in process of cell cycle progression and multidrug resistant regulation. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In present study, bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter assay indicated that CADM1 was a direct target of miR-1246. Evidently decreased expression of CADM1 was observed in relapsed primary leukemia patients and chemo-resistant cell lines. Our results furtherly proved that inhibition of miR-1246 could significantly enhance drug sensitivity to Adriamycin (ADM), induce cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, promote cell apoptosis, and relieve its suppression on CADM1 in K562/ADM and HL-60/RS cells. Interference with CADM1 could reduce the increased drug sensitivity induced by miR-1246 inhibition, and notably restore drug resistance by promoting cell cycle progression and cell survival via regulating CDKs/Cyclins complexes in chemo-resistant leukemia cells. Above all, our results demonstrated that CADM1 attenuated the role of miR-1246 in promoting cell cycle progression and cell survival, thus influencing multidrug resistance within chemo-resistant leukemia cells via CDKs/Cyclins. Higher expression of miR-1246 and lower expression of CADM1 might be risk factors for leukemia.

Crosstalk between Bone and Muscles during Physical Activity

Bone-muscle crosstalk is enabled thanks to the integration of different molecular signals, and it is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of skeletal and muscle tissue. Both the skeletal system and the muscular system perform endocrine activity by producing osteokines and myokines, respectively. These cytokines play a pivotal role in facilitating bone-muscle crosstalk. Moreover, recent studies have highlighted the role of non-coding RNAs in promoting crosstalk between bone and muscle in physiological or pathological conditions. Therefore, positive stimuli or pathologies that target one of the two systems can affect the other system as well, emphasizing the reciprocal influence of bone and muscle. Lifestyle and in particular physical activity influence both the bone and the muscular apparatus by acting on the single system but also by enhancing its crosstalk. Several studies have in fact demonstrated the modulation of circulating molecular factors during physical activity. These molecules are often produced by bone or muscle and are capable of activating signaling pathways involved in bone-muscle crosstalk but also of modulating the response of other cell types. Therefore, in this review we will discuss the effects of physical activity on bone and muscle cells, with particular reference to the biomolecular mechanisms that regulate their cellular interactions.

Optimization of a tri-drug treatment against lung cancer using orthogonal design in preclinical studies

A growing body of evidence suggests that anesthetics impact the outcome of patients with cancer after surgical intervention. However, the optimal dose and underlying mechanisms of co-administered anesthetics in lung tumor therapy have been poorly studied. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of combined anesthetics propofol, sufentanil, and rocuronium in treating lung cancer using an orthogonal experimental design and to explore the optimal combination of anesthetics. First, we evaluated the effects of the three anesthetics on the proliferation and invasion of A-549 cells using Cell Counting Kit 8 and Transwell migration and invasion assays. Subsequently, we applied the orthogonal experimental design (OED) method to screen the appropriate concentrations of the combined anesthetics with the most effective antitumor activity. We found that all three agents inhibited the proliferation of A-549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner when applied individually or in combination, with the highest differences in the magnitude of inhibition occurring 24 h after combined drug exposure. The optimal combination of the three anesthetics that achieved the strongest reduction in cell viability was 1.4 µmol/L propofol, 2 nmol/L sufentanil, and 7.83 µmol/L rocuronium. This optimal 3-drug combination produced a more beneficial result at 24 h than either single drug. Our results provide a theoretical basis for improving the efficacy of lung tumor treatment and optimizing anesthetic strategies.

Cell Cycle-Related lncRNAs as Innovative Targets to Advance Cancer Management

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) longer than 200nt. They have complex biological functions and take part in multiple fundamental biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis. Recent studies suggest that lncRNAs modulate critical regulatory proteins involved in cancer cell cycle, such as cyclin, cell cycle protein-dependent kinases (CDK) and cell cycle protein-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKI) through different mechanisms. To clarify the role of lncRNAs in the regulation of cell cycle will provide new ideas for design of antitumor therapies which intervene with the cell cycle progression. In this paper, we review the recent studies about the controlling of lncRNAs on cell cycle related proteins such as cyclin, CDK and CKI in different cancers. We further outline the different mechanisms involved in this regulation and describe the emerging role of cell cycle-related lncRNAs in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

MicroRNAs as Targets for Cancer Diagnosis: Interests and Limitations

MicroRNAs are small RNAs with ability to attach to the large number of RNA that regulate gene expression on post-transcriptional level via inhibition or degradation of specific mRNAs. MiRNAs in cells are the primary regulators of functions such as cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis and considerably influence cell function. The expression levels of microRNAs change in human diseases, including cancer. These changes highlight their essential role in cancer pathogenesis. Ubiquitous irregular expression profiles of miRNAs have been detected in various human cancers using genome-wide identification techniques, which are emerging as novel diagnostic and prognostic cancer biomarkers of high specificity and sensitivity. The measurable miRNAs with enhanced stability in blood, tissues, and other body fluids provide a comprehensive source of miRNA-dependent biomarkers for human cancers. The leading role of miRNAs as potential biomarkers in human cancers is discussed in this article. In addition, the interests and difficulties of miRNAs as biomarkers have been explored.

miR-200b/MYBL2/CDK1 suppresses proliferation and induces senescence through cell cycle arrest in ovine granulosa cells

Normal growth of granulosa cells (GCs) is essential for follicular development. miR-200b plays a vital role in litter size, estrous cycle, ovulation, and follicular development in sheep. However, it is unclear that the specific effect and regulatory mechanism of miR-200b on ovine GCs. miR-200b mimic inhibited GCs proliferation and induced cellular senescence through downregulating mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), concentration of ATP and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ, and upregulating SA-β-gal positive rate and ROS production. A total of 597 differentially expressed genes were identified by RNA-Seq in GCs transfected with miR-200b mimic and mimic NC, and they were involved in cell cycle and cellular senescence. miR-200b directly targeted and downregulated MYBL2 and CDK1. Overexpression of MYBL2 promoted GCs proliferation and genes expression (CDK1, CDC20, MAD2L1 and FOXM1), which were suppressed by miR-200b mimic. Furthermore, MYBL2 negatively regulated miR-200b-induced GC senescence. In conclusion, miR-200b/MYBL2/CDK1 regulated proliferation and senescence through cell cycle pathway in ovine granulosa cells. Our study provides a novel insight that miR-200b regulates ovine follicular development.

Identification and validation of miR-583 and mir-877-5p as biomarkers in patients with breast cancer: an integrated experimental and bioinformatics research

OBJECTIVES

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers with a high mortality rate in women worldwide. The advantages of early cancer diagnosis are apparent, and it is a critical factor in increasing the patient's life and survival. According to mounting evidence, microRNAs (miRNAs) may be crucial regulators of critical biological processes. miRNA dysregulation has been linked to the beginning and progression of various human malignancies, including BC, and can operate as tumor suppressors or oncomiRs. This study aimed to identify novel miRNA biomarkers in BC tissues and non-tumor adjacent tissues of patients with BC. Microarray datasets GSE15852 and GSE42568 for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and GSE45666, GSE57897, and GSE40525 for differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed using "R" software. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created to identify the hub genes. MirNet, miRTarBase, and MirPathDB databases were used to predict DEMs targeted genes. Functional enrichment analysis was used to demonstrate the topmost classifications of molecular pathways. The prognostic capability of selected DEMs was evaluated through a Kaplan-Meier plot. Moreover, the specificity and sensitivity of detected miRNAs to discriminate BC from adjacent controls were assessed by area under the curve (AUC) using the ROC curve analysis. In the last phase of this study, gene expression on 100 BC tissues and 100 healthy adjacent tissues were analyzed and calculated by using the Real-Time PCR method.

RESULTS

This study declared that miR-583 and miR-877-5p were downregulated in tumor samples in comparison to adjacent non-tumor samples (|logFC|< 0 and P ≤ 0.05). Accordingly, ROC curve analysis demonstrated the biomarker potential of miR-877-5p (AUC = 0.63) and miR-583 (AUC = 0.69). Our results showed that has-miR-583 and has-miR-877-5p could be potential biomarkers in BC.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of miRNAs for the detection of cervical cancer

Aim: This study aimed to critically appraise the evidence of the diagnostic effectiveness of miRNAs for the detection of cervical cancer. Methods & materials: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed, searching PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. An umbrella meta-analysis of meta-analyses of individual biomarkers was performed. A Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment of evidence was also performed. Results: A total of 52 miRNAs were included. Umbrella meta-analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in terms of sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), positive predictive value and/or negative predictive value. Umbrella effects were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.73-0.78), 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75-0.81), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75-0.80), 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.74-0.79), respectively. Conclusion: Moderate quality evidence suggested miR199a-5p, miR21-5p and miR-141a had excellent diagnostic performance.

Non-coding RNAs in radiotherapy resistance: Roles and therapeutic implications in gastrointestinal cancer

Radiotherapy has become an indispensable and conventional means for patients with advanced solid tumors including gastrointestinal cancer. However, innate or acquired radiotherapy resistance remains a significant challenge and greatly limits the therapeutic effect, which results in cancer relapse and poor prognosis. Therefore, it is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for clarify the biological characteristics and mechanism of radiotherapy resistance. Recently, lots of studies have revealed that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are the potential indicators and regulators of radiotherapy resistance via the mediation of various targets/pathways in different cancers. These findings may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome radiotherapy resistance. In this review, we will shed light on the recent findings regarding the functions and regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs following radiotherapy, and comprehensively discuss their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in radiotherapy resistance of gastrointestinal cancer.

Differential Expression of Non-Coding RNAs in Stem Cell Development and Therapeutics of Bone Disorders

Stem cells' self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation are regulated by a complex network consisting of signaling factors, chromatin regulators, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Diverse role of ncRNAs in stem cell development and maintenance of bone homeostasis have been discovered recently. The ncRNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs, micro RNAs, circular RNAs, small interfering RNA, Piwi-interacting RNAs, etc., are not translated into proteins but act as essential epigenetic regulators in stem cells' self-renewal and differentiation. Different signaling pathways are monitored efficiently by the differential expression of ncRNAs, which function as regulatory elements in determining the fate of stem cells. In addition, several species of ncRNAs could serve as potential molecular biomarkers in early diagnosis of bone diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and bone cancers, ultimately leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review aims to explore the specific roles of ncRNAs and their effective molecular mechanisms in the growth and development of stem cells, and in the regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast activities. Furthermore, we focus on and explore the association of altered ncRNA expression with stem cells and bone turnover.

The regulatory role of microRNAs in common eye diseases: A brief review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, small non-coding RNA molecules (∼21 nucleotides) that regulate numerous biological processes, including developmental timing, hematopoiesis, organogenesis, apoptosis, cell differentiation, and proliferation either by mRNA degradation or translation repression. Since eye physiology requires a perfect orchestration of complex regulatory networks, an altered expression of key regulatory molecules such as miRNAs potentially leads to numerous eye disorders. In recent years, comprehensive progress has been made in demonstrating the precise roles of miRNAs, emphasizing their potential use in diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of chronic human diseases. Thus, this review explicitly illustrates the regulatory roles of miRNAs in four common eye disorders, such as cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and uveitis, and their application in disease management.

Post-Transcriptional Regulatory Crosstalk between MicroRNAs and Canonical TGF-β/BMP Signalling Cascades on Osteoblast Lineage: A Comprehensive Review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small, single-stranded, and non-protein coding RNAs about 19 to 22 nucleotides in length, that have been reported to have important roles in the control of bone development. MiRNAs have a strong influence on osteoblast differentiation through stages of lineage commitment and maturation, as well as via controlling the activities of osteogenic signal transduction pathways. Generally, miRNAs may modulate cell stemness, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis by binding the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of the target genes, which then can subsequently undergo messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation or protein translational repression. MiRNAs manage the gene expression in osteogenic differentiation by regulating multiple signalling cascades and essential transcription factors, including the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/bone morphogenic protein (BMP), Wingless/Int-1(Wnt)/β-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog signalling pathways; the Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2); and osterix (Osx). This shows that miRNAs are essential in regulating diverse osteoblast cell functions. TGF-βs and BMPs transduce signals and exert diverse functions in osteoblastogenesis, skeletal development and bone formation, bone homeostasis, and diseases. Herein, we highlighted the current state of in vitro and in vivo research describing miRNA regulation on the canonical TGF-β/BMP signalling, their effects on osteoblast linage, and understand their mechanism of action for the development of possible therapeutics. In this review, particular attention and comprehensive database searches are focused on related works published between the years 2000 to 2022, using the resources from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Exosome-mediated inhibition of microRNA-449a promotes the amplification of mouse retinal progenitor cells and enhances their transplantation in retinal degeneration mouse models

Inherited and age-related retinal degenerations are the commonest causes of blindness without effective treatments. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), which have the multipotency to differentiate into various retinal cell types, are regarded as a promising source of cell transplantation therapy for retinal degenerative diseases. However, the self-limited expansion of RPCs causes difficulty in cell source supply and restrict its clinical treatment. In this work, we found that inhibition of microRNA-449a (miR-449a) in RPCs can promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of RPCs, partially through upregulating Notch signaling. Further optimization of transduction miR-449a inhibitor into RPCs by endothelial cell-derived exosomes can promote the survival of RPCs transplanted in vivo and reduce cell apoptosis in retinal degeneration mouse models. In summary, these studies have shown that exosome-miR-449a inhibitor can effectively promote the expansion of RPCs in vitro and enhance transplanted RPCs survival in vivo, which might provide a novel intervention strategy for retinal degenerations in the future.

Pgp3 protein of Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits apoptosis via HO-1 upregulation mediated by PI3K/Akt activation

As an obligate intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis assumes various strategies to inhibit host cells apoptosis, thereby providing a suitable intracellular environment to ensure completion of the development cycle. In the current study, we revealed that Pgp3 protein, one of eight plasmid proteins of C. trachomatis that has been illustrated as the key virulence factor, increased HO-1 expression to suppress apoptosis, and downregulation of HO-1 with siRNA-HO-1 failed to exert anti-apoptosis activity of Pgp3 protein. Moreover, treatment of PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor and Nrf2 inhibitor evidently reduced HO-1 expression and Nrf2 nuclear translocation was blocked by PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor. These findings highlight that induction of HO-1 expression by Pgp3 protein is probably due to regulation of Nrf2 nuclear translocation activated by PI3K/Akt pathway, which provide clues on how C. trachomatis adjusts apoptosis.

The long and short: Non-coding RNAs in the mammalian inner ear

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a critical role in the entire body, and their mis-regulation is often associated with disease. In parallel with the advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, there is a great deal of focus on this broad class of RNAs. Although these molecules are not translated into proteins, they are now well established as significant regulatory components in many biological pathways and pathological conditions. ncRNAs can be roughly divided into two main sub-groups based on the length of the transcript, with both the small and long non-coding RNAs having diverse regulatory functions. The smaller length group includes ribosomal RNAs (rRNA), transfer RNAs (tRNA), small nuclear RNAs (snRNA), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA), microRNAs (miRNA), small interfering RNAs (siRNA), and PIWI-associated RNAs (piRNA). The longer length group includes linear long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and circular RNAs (circRNA). This review is designed to present the different classes of small and long ncRNA molecules and describe some of their known roles in physiological and pathological conditions, as well as methods used to assess the validity and function of miRNAs and lncRNAs, with a focus on their role and functions in the inner ear, hearing and deafness.

VEGF Expression in Umbilical Cord MSC Depends on the Patient's Health, the Week of Pregnancy in Which the Delivery Took Place, and the Body Weight of the Newborn - Preliminary Report

Introduction

Cells collected from Wharton's jelly are a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells. They can be easily obtained and grown using the adhesive method. They produce many types of proteins, including VEGF. Their role is to participate in angiogenesis, vasodilation, stimulation of cells to migrate, and chemotactic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of genes from the vascular endothelial growth factor family: VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC in MSC and the analysis of dependence of the expression of the studied genes on clinical factors related to the course of pregnancy and childbirth, and health of mother and child.

Material and Methods

The research material was an umbilical cord obtained from 40 patients hospitalized in the Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No.1 in Lublin. The age of the women was 21-46, all gave birth by cesarean section. Some of the patients suffered from hypertension and hypothyroidism. Material collected from patients immediately after delivery was subjected to enzymatic digestion with type I collagenase. The isolated cells were then cultured in adherent conditions, and then gene expression was assessed using qPCR and the immunophenotype of the cells was assessed cytometrically.

Results

Conducted studies have shown significant differences in expression of VEGF family genes depending on clinical condition of mother and child. Significant differences in VEGF-family gene expression level in umbilical cord MSC collected from women with hypothyroidism, hypertension, time of labor and birth weight of the baby were shown.

Conclusion

Probably due to hypoxia (caused, for example, by hypothyroidism or hypertension), the MSCs found in the umbilical cord may react with an increased expression of VEGF and a compensatory increase in the amount of secreted factor, the aim of which is, i.a., vasodilation and increase of blood supply to the fetus through the umbilical vessels.

Epigenetics: Novel crucial approach for osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells

Bone has a robust regenerative potential, but its capacity to repair critical-sized bone defects is limited. In recent years, stem cells have attracted significant interest for their potential in tissue engineering. Applying mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for enhancing bone regeneration is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, maintaining optimal cell efficacy or viability of MSCs is limited by several factors. Epigenetic modification can cause changes in gene expression levels without changing its sequence, mainly including nucleic acids methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. This modification is believed to be one of the determinants of MSCs fate and differentiation. Understanding the epigenetic modification of MSCs can improve the activity and function of stem cells. This review summarizes recent advances in the epigenetic mechanisms of MSCs differentiation into osteoblast lineages. We expound that epigenetic modification of MSCs can be harnessed to treat bone defects and promote bone regeneration, providing potential therapeutic targets for bone-related diseases.

Primary and Secondary micro-RNA Modulation the Extrinsic Pathway of Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract-One of the most common malignant liver diseases is hepatocellular carcinoma, which has a high recurrence rate and a low five-year survival rate. It is very heterogeneous both in structure and between patients, which complicates the diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment. In this regard, an individualized, patient-centered approach becomes important, in which the use of mimetics and hsa-miRNA inhibitors involved in the pathogenesis of the disease may be determinative. From this point of view hsa-miRNAs are of interest, their aberrant expression is associated with poor prognosis for patients and is associated with tumor progression due to dysregulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis). However, the effect of hsa-miRNA on tumor development depends not only on its direct effect on expression of genes, the primary targets, but also on secondary targets mediated by regulatory pathways. While the former are actively studied, the role of secondary targets of these hsa-miRNAs in modulating apoptosis is still unclear. The present work summarizes data on hsa-miRNAs whose primary targets are key genes of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Their aberrant expression is associated with early disease relapse and poor patient outcome. For these hsa-miRNAs, using the software package ANDSystem, we reconstructed the regulation of the expression of secondary targets and analyzed their impact on the activity of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. The potential effect of hsa-miRNAs mediated by action on secondary targets is shown to negatively correlate with the number of primary targets. It is also shown that hsa-miR-373, hsa-miR-106b and hsa-miR-96 have the highest priority as markers of hepatocellular carcinoma, whose action on secondary targets enhances their anti-apoptotic effect.

MicroRNA-139-5p mediates BMSCs impairment in diabetes by targeting HOXA9/c-Fos

The properties and functions of BMSCs were altered by the diabetic microenvironment, and its mechanism was not very clear. In recent years, the regulation of the function of BMSCs by microRNA has become a research hotspot, meanwhile, HOX genes also have been focused on and involved in multiple functions of stem cells. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-139-5p in diabetes-induced BMSC impairment. Since HOXA9 may be a target gene of miR-139-5p, we speculated that miR-139-5p/HOXA9 might be involved in regulating the biological characteristics and the function of BMSCs in diabetes. We demonstrated that the miR-139-5p expression was increased in BMSCs derived from STZ-induced diabetic rats. MiR-139-5p mimics were able to inhibit cell proliferation, and migration and promoted senescence and apoptosis in vitro. MiR-139-5p induced the down-regulated expression of HOXA9 and c-Fos in BMSCs derived from normal rats. Moreover, miR-139-5p inhibitors reversed the tendency in diabetic-derived BMSCs. Further, gain-and-loss function experiments indicated that miR-139-5p regulated the functions of BMSCs by targeting HOXA9 and c-Fos. In vivo wound model experiments showed that the downregulation of miR-139-5p further promoted the epithelialization and angiogenesis of diabetic BMSC-mediated skin. In conclusion, induction of miR-139-5p upregulation mediated the impairment of BMSCs through the HOXA9/c-Fos pathway in diabetic rats. Therefore, miR-139-5p/HOXA9 might be an important therapeutic target in treating diabetic BMSCs and diabetic complications in the future.

Genetic variant in miR-17-92 cluster binding sites is associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk in Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in microRNA (miRNA) binding sites can affect the interactions between miRNAs and target genes, which is related to cancer susceptibility and tumorigenesis. However, the association between SNPs located in miR-17-92 cluster binding sites and ESCC risk remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the relationship between polymorphisms in miR-17-92 cluster binding sites and ESCC susceptibility.

METHODS

Six SNPs in the binding sites of miR-17-92 cluster were selected using bioinformatics databases, and their association with ESCC risk was investigated in a case-control study (including 488 cases and 512 controls) based on the population from high incidence areas of ESCC in China. We evaluated the SNP-SNP and SNP-smoking interactions using generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR). Moreover, the expression of the miR-17-92 cluster and its target genes was determined in ESCC and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the effect of SNPs on the binding affinity between miRNAs and target genes.

RESULTS

We found that the SNP rs1804506 C > T had a significant association with the decreased ESCC risk. The SNP rs1804506 T allele was associated with a significantly decreased risk of ESCC in the additive model (OR = 0.817, 95% CI = 0.681-0.981, P = 0.030). The rs1804506 T allele had more striking effects on reducing ESCC risk in older individuals, female or non-smoker subgroups. We also found a significant interaction effect between rs1366600 and smoking by GMDR methods (P = 0.011). Additionally, the expression levels of miR-19a-3p and TGFBR3 were significantly downregulated in ESCC tissues compared with normal tissues, and the carriers of rs1804506 TT genotype had lower expression level of TGFBR3 than those of rs1804506 CC/CT genotype. Following dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that the rs1804506 T allele reduced the binding of miR-19a-3p and TGFBR3 3'-UTR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the rs1804506 polymorphism in miR-17-92 cluster binding sites contributes to the susceptibility of ESCC, which might provide new clues and scientific evidence for the etiology and biomarkers for the prevention and treatment of ESCC.

An enriched environment reduces hippocampal inflammatory response and improves cognitive function in a mouse model of stroke

An enriched environment is used as a behavioral intervention therapy that applies sensory, motor, and social stimulation, and has been used in basic and clinical research of various neurological diseases. In this study, we established mouse models of photothrombotic stroke and, 24 hours later, raised them in a standard, enriched, or isolated environment for 4 weeks. Compared with the mice raised in a standard environment, the cognitive function of mice raised in an enriched environment was better and the pathological damage in the hippocampal CA1 region was remarkably alleviated. Furthermore, protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6, nuclear factor κB p65, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α, and the mRNA expression level of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 were greatly lower, while the expression level of miR-146a-5p was higher. Compared with the mice raised in a standard environment, changes in these indices in mice raised in an isolated environment were opposite to mice raised in an enriched environment. These findings suggest that different living environments affect the hippocampal inflammatory response and cognitive function in a mouse model of stroke. An enriched environment can improve cognitive function following stroke through up-regulation of miR-146a-5p expression and a reduction in the inflammatory response.

Recent insights into the microRNA and long non-coding RNA-mediated regulation of stem cell populations

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have multi-lineage differentiation. The transition from self-renewal to differentiation requires rapid and extensive gene expression alterations. Since different stem cells exhibit diverse non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) expression profiles, the critical roles of ncRNAs in stem cell reprogramming, pluripotency maintenance, and differentiation have been widely investigated over the past few years. Hence, in this current review, the two main categories of ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are discussed. While the primary way by which miRNAs restrict mRNA transcription is through miRNA-mRNA interaction, lncRNAs have a wide range of effects on mRNA functioning, including interactions with miRNAs. Both of these ncRNAs participate in the post-transcriptional regulation of crucial biological mechanisms, such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, aging, and cell fate decisions. These findings shed light on a previously unknown aspect of gene regulation in stem cell fate determination and behavior. Overall, we summarized the key roles of miRNAs (including exosomal miRNAs) and lncRNAs in the regulation of stem cell populations, such as cardiac, hematopoietic, mesenchymal, neural, and spermatogonial, as well ncRNAs' influence on malignancy through modulating cancer stem cells, which might significantly contribute to clinical stem cell therapy and in regenerative medicine.

Salvia miltiorrhiza in cancer: Potential role in regulating MicroRNAs and epigenetic enzymes

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in gene regulation by influencing the translation and longevity of various target mRNAs and the expression of various target genes as well as by modifying histones and DNA methylation of promoter sites. Consequently, when dysregulated, microRNAs are involved in the development and progression of a variety of diseases, including cancer, by affecting cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. Preparations from the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge (Lamiaceae), also known as red sage or danshen, are widely used for treating cardiovascular diseases. Accumulating data suggest that certain bioactive constituents of this plant, particularly tanshinones, have broad antitumor effects by interfering with microRNAs and epigenetic enzymes. This paper reviews the evidence for the antineoplastic activities of S. miltiorrhiza constituents by causing or promoting cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and epigenetic changes to provide an outlook on their future roles in the treatment of cancer, both alone and in combination with other modalities.

Association between microRNAs and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer: Current knowledge, new insights, and forthcoming perspectives

Pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma, commonly known as pancreatic cancer (PC), is a cancer-related cause of death due to delayed diagnosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Patients with PC suffer from incorrect responses to chemotherapy due to inherent and acquired chemical resistance. Numerous studies have shown the mechanism of the effect of chemoresistance on PC, such as genetic and epigenetic changes or the elucidation of signaling pathways. In this regard, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as essential modulators of gene expression in various cellular functions, including chemoresistance. Thus, identifying the underlying link between microRNAs and PC chemoresistance helps determine the exact pathogenesis of PC. This study aims to classify miRNAs and signaling pathways related to PC chemoresistance, suggesting new therapeutic approaches to overcome PC chemoresistance.

MiR-1290: a potential therapeutic target for regenerative medicine or diagnosis and treatment of non-malignant diseases

MicroRNAs are a set of small non-coding RNAs that could change gene expression with post-transcriptional regulation. MiRNAs have a significant role in regulating molecular signaling pathways and innate and adaptive immune system activity. Moreover, miRNAs can be utilized as a powerful instrument for tissue engineers and regenerative medicine by altering the expression of genes and growth factors. MiR-1290, which was first discovered in human embryonic stem cells, is one of those miRNAs that play an essential role in developing the fetal nervous system. This review aims to discuss current findings on miR-1290 in different human pathologies and determine whether manipulation of miR-1290 could be considered a possible therapeutic strategy to treat different non-malignant diseases. The results of these studies suggest that the regulation of miR-1290 may be helpful in the treatment of some bacterial (leprosy) and viral infections (HIV, influenza A, and Borna disease virus). Also, adjusting the expression of miR-1290 in non-infectious diseases such as celiac disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, polycystic ovary syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, muscle atrophy, sarcopenia, and ischemic heart disease can help to treat these diseases better. In addition to acting as a biomarker for the diagnosis of non-malignant diseases (such as NAFLD, fetal growth, preeclampsia, down syndrome, chronic rhinosinusitis, and oral lichen planus), the miR-1290 can also be used as a valuable instrument in tissue engineering and reconstructive medicine. Consequently, it is suggested that the regulation of miR-1290 could be considered a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of non-malignant diseases in the future.

MALAT1 regulates hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes by modulating the miR-181a/HMGB2 pathway

Noncoding RNAs are important for regulation of cardiac hypertrophy. The function of MALAT1 (a long noncoding mRNA), miR-181a, and HMGB2; their contribution to cardiac hypertrophy; and the regulatory relationship between them during this process remain unknown. In the present study, we treated primary cardiomyocytes with angiotensin II (Ang II) to mimic cardiac hypertrophy. MALAT1 expression was significantly downregulated in Ang II-treated cardiomyocytes compared with control cardiomyocytes. Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy was suppressed by overexpression of MALAT1 and promoted by genetic knockdown of MALAT1. A dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that MALAT1 acted as a sponge for miR-181a and inhibited its expression during cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac hypertrophy was suppressed by overexpression of a miR-181a inhibitor and enhanced by overexpression of a miR-181a mimic. HMGB2 was downregulated during cardiac hypertrophy and was identified as a target of miR-181a by bioinformatics analysis and a dual-luciferase reporter assay. miR-181a overexpression decreased the mRNA and protein levels of HMGB2. Rescue experiments indicated that MALAT1 overexpression reversed the effect of miR-181a on HMGB2 expression. In summary, the results of the present study show that MALAT1 acts as a sponge for miR-181a and thereby regulates expression of HMGB2 and development of cardiac hypertrophy. The novel MALAT1/miR-181a/HMGB2 axis might play a crucial role in cardiac hypertrophy and serve as a new therapeutic target.

Tracking miR-17-5p Levels following Expression of Seven Reported Target mRNAs

Simple Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA sequences that promote gene silencing by targeting matching mRNAs. miR-17-5p is a typical oncogenic miRNA overexpressed in many types of cancers. Due to imperfect specificity, a single miRNA, such as miR-17-5p, may target multiple mRNAs with a range of tissue-specific effects. Therefore, investigating miRNA functions is rather complex. In this study, miR-17-5p was found to be correlated with and modulated by the tested miR-17-5p downstream target mRNA levels in cancer cell lines, suggesting that these target mRNA levels may play roles in stabilizing and modifying the expression of miR-17-5p. We postulate that the mechanisms regulating miR-17-5p expression by its known target transcripts can provide an understanding of the dysregulated expression and functions of miRNAs in cancer progression.

Abstract

As the most prominent member of the miR-17-92 cluster, miR-17-5p is well associated with tumorigenesis and cancer progression. It can exert both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions by inducing translational repression and/or mRNA decay. The complexity of the tissue-specific expression of the targeted transcripts seems to contribute to the differential functions of miR-17-5p in different types of cancers. In this study, we selected 12 reported miR-17-5p targeting genes with mRNA levels unaffected by miR-17-5p expression and analyzed their expression in 31 organ tissues in transgenic mice by real-time PCR. Surprisingly, miR-17-5p expressing transgenic mice showed a positive correlation in these tissues between miR-17-5p expression levels and the selected miR-17-5p targeted transcripts; with high expression of the miRNA in organs with high selected miRNA-targeted mRNA levels. In cancer cell lines, overexpression of 7 reported miR-17-5p targeted genes’ 3′-UTRs promoted miR-17-5p expression; meanwhile, transfection of 3′-UTRs with mutations had no significant effect. Moreover, an increase in AGO2 mRNA was associated with 3′-UTR expression as confirmed by real-time PCR. Hence, miR-17-5p regulation by these target genes might be an alternative mechanism to maintain miR-17-5p expression at tissue-specific levels.

Dicer and PKR as Novel Regulators of Embryonic Stem Cell Fate and Antiviral Innate Immunity

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) represent a unique cell population in the blastocyst stage embryo. They have been intensively studied as a promising cell source for regenerative medicine. Recent studies have revealed that both human and mouse ESCs are deficient in expressing IFNs and have attenuated inflammatory responses. Apparently, the ability to express IFNs and respond to certain inflammatory cytokines is not "innate" to ESCs but rather is developmentally acquired by somatic cells during differentiation. Accumulating evidence supports a hypothesis that the attenuated innate immune response may serve as a protective mechanism allowing ESCs to avoid immunological cytotoxicity. This review describes our current understanding of the molecular basis that shapes the immune properties of ESCs. We highlight the recent findings on Dicer and dsRNA-activated protein kinase R as novel regulators of ESC fate and antiviral immunity and discuss how ESCs use alternative mechanisms to accommodate their stem cell properties.

Involvement of MiRNA-211-5p and Arhgap11a Interaction During Osteogenic Differentiation of MC3T3-E1 Cells

Objective

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well-recognized for their abilities to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in plants and animals. Recently, miRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA) regulatory relationships have been confirmed during biological processes, including osteogenic differentiation. This study aimed to find out more candidate miRNA-mRNA pairs involved in the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

Methods

An MC3T3-E1-based microarray dataset (accessioned as GSE46400) downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus included MC3T3-E1 cells with or without 14-day osteoblast differentiation osteoblast induction. Multiple miRNA-mRNA prediction databases were searched by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to obtain pairs of a miRNA-DEG regulatory network. The MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured and incubated in the osteogenic differentiation medium for 14 days. The expressions of candidate miRNAs and mRNAs were determined by real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) in MC3T3-E1 cells. The miRNA-mRNA interactions were verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and experiments using mimics miRNA or their inhibitors.

Results

We identified 715 upregulated DEGs and 603 downregulated DEGs between MC3T3-E1 cells with and without osteoblast induction by analyzing the raw data of the GSE46400 dataset. There were 7 overlapped miRNA-mRNA pairs identified during osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, including mmu-miR-204-5p-Arhgap11a, mmu-miR-211-5p-Arhgap11a, mmu-miR-24-3p-H2afx, mmu-miR-3470b-Chek2, mmu-miR-3470b-Dlgap5, mmu-miR-466b-3p-Chek1, and mmu-miR-466c-3p-Chek1. The Arhgap11a, H2afx, Chek2, Dlgap5, and Chek1 were hub genes downregulated in MC3T3-E1 cells after osteogenic differentiation, verified by RT-qPCR results. The RT-qPCR also determined declined expressions of miR-204-5p and miR-24-3p concomitant with elevated expressions of miR-211-5p, miR-3470b, miR-466b-3p, and miR-466c-3p in the MC3T3-E1 cells, with osteoblast induction compared with undifferentiated MC3T3-E1 cells. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays demonstrated Arhgap11a as the target of miR-211-5p. MiR-211-5p upregulation by its mimic increased Arhgap11a expression in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Conclusion

Our study characterizes miR-211-5p targeting Arhgap11a promotes the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, which provides novel targets to promote the osteogenesis process during bone repair.

Micro-RNA let-7a-5p Derived From Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promotes the Regrowth of Neurons in Spinal-Cord-Injured Rats by Targeting the HMGA2/SMAD2 Axis

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often causes neuronal and axonal damage, resulting in permanent neurological impairments. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising treatments for SCI. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that EVs from bone marrow-derived MSCs promoted the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into the neurons and outgrowth of neurites that are extending into astrocytic scars in SCI rats. Further study found that let-7a-5p exerted a similar biological effect as MSC-EVs in regulating the differentiation of NSCs and leading to neurological improvement in SCI rats. Moreover, these MSC-EV-induced effects were attenuated by let-7a-5p inhibitors/antagomirs. When investigating the mechanism, bioinformatics predictions combined with western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that both MSC-EVs and let-7a-5p were able to downregulate the expression of SMAD2 by inhibiting HMGA2. In conclusion, MSC-EV-secreted let-7a-5p promoted the regrowth of neurons and improved neurological recovery in SCI rats by targeting the HMGA2/SMAD2 axis.

[Experimental study on the construction of telmisartan/collagen/polycaprolactone nerve conduit and its repair effect on rat sciatic nerve defect]

OBJECTIVE

To construction the telmisartan/collagen/polycaprolactone (PCL) nerve conduit and assess its effect on repairing sciatic nerve defect in rats.

METHODS

The 60% collagen/hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) solution and 40% PCL/HFIP solution were prepared and mixed (collagen/PCL solution). Then the 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg of telmisartan were mixed with the 10 mL collagen/PCL solution, respectively. Telmisartan/collagen/PCL nerve conduits were fabricated via high voltage electrospinning technology. The structure of nerve conduit before and after crosslinking was observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The drug release efficiency was detected by in vitro sustained release method. RAW264.7 cells were cultured with lipopolysaccharide to induce inflammation, and then co-cultured with nerve conduits loaded with different concentrations of telmisartan for 24 hours. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Arginase 1 (Arg-1) were detected by using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Forty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=10). After preparing 15-mm-long sciatic nerve defect, the defect was repaired by cross-linked nerve conduits loaded with 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg telmisartan in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. After operation, the general condition of rats was observed after operation; the sciatic function index (SFI) was tested; the bridging between the nerve conduit and sciatic nerve, and the integrity of nerve conduit were observed; the tissue growth in nerve conduit and material degradation were observed by HE staining; the expressions of CD86 (M1 macrophage marker), CD206 (M2 macrophage marker), myelin basic protein (MBP), and myelin protein 0 (P0) in new tissues were also observed by immunohistochemical staining; the expressions of neurofilament 200 (NF-200) and S-100β in new tissues were assessed by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

The general observation showed that the inner diameter of the nerve conduit was 1.8 mm and the outer diameter was 2.0 mm. After cross-linking by genipin, the nanofiber became thicker and denser. The drug release test showed that the telmisartan loaded nerve conduit could be released gradually. With the increase of telmisartan content in nerve conduit, the iNOS mRNA expression decreased and the Arg-1 mRNA expression increased; and the differences between 20 mg group and other groups were significant ( P<0.05). In vivo experiment showed that all animals in each group survived until the completion of the experiment. The SFI was significantly higher in groups C and D than in groups A and B at different time points ( P<0.05) and in group D than in group C at 6 months after operation ( P<0.05). HE staining showed that there were significantly more new tissues in the middle of the nerve conduit in group D after operation than in other groups. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CD86 and CD206 stainings were positive in each group at 1 month after operation, among which group D had the lowest positive rate of CD86 and the highest positive rate of CD206, and there were significant differences in the positive rate of CD206 between group D and groups A, B, and C ( P<0.05); the MBP and P0 stainings were positive in groups C and D at 6 months, and the positive rate in group D was significantly higher than that in group C ( P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the NF-200 and S-100β expressions in group D were significantly higher than those in other groups.

CONCLUSION

Telmisartan/collagen/PLC nerve conduit can promote the sciatic nerve defect repair in rats through promoting the polarization of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages, and the nerve conduit loaded with20 mg telmisartan has the most significant effect.

MiR-151b inhibits osteoblast differentiation via downregulating Msx2

PURPOSE

MicroRNA-151b (miR-151b) showed altered expression in ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. This study established an ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic rat model to investigate the role of miR-151b in osteoblasts.

METHODS

Eighteen female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into Sham and OVX group (n = 9). The transfections with different miRNAs and expression vectors were confirmed by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of Msx2 was detected by Western blots. The interaction between miR-151b and Msx2D was evaluated by RNA pull-down and dual luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The expression of miR-151b was significantly increased in femoral tissues of ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic rats. The expression of osteogenesis marker genes including RUNX2, ALP, OCN, OSX, and Msx2 were all significantly increased in osteogenic medium (OM) incubated primary osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 cells. The interaction between miR-151b and Msx2 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down. Moreover, overexpression of miR-151b significantly inhibited Msx2 in both MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts, while miR-151b inhibitor had the opposite effect on the expression of Msx2. In addition, in primary osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 cells, miR-151b overexpression, or Msx2 silence significantly decreased the expression of OSX, ALP, RUNX2, and OCN.

CONCLUSION

MiR-151b could inhibit osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization via downregulating Msx2 in both MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts. MiR-151b might serve as a novel therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

ABBREVIATIONS

miR-151b: microRNA-151b; miRNAs: microRNAs; Msx2: Msh homeobox 2; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; STAT: signal transducer and activator of transcription; SD: Sprague-Dawley; BMD: bone mineral density; qRT-PCR: quantitative reverse transcription PCR; MTT: methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium; OVX: ovariectomy; ALP: alkaline phosphatase.