Long noncoding RNA SNHG1 alleviates high glucose-induced vascular smooth muscle cells calcification/senescence by post-transcriptionally regulating Bhlhe40 and autophagy via Atg10

The Impact of Long Noncoding RNAs in Tissue Regeneration and Senescence

Overcoming senescence with tissue engineering has a promising impact on multiple diseases. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies in which cellular senescence was inhibited through the up/downregulation of specific lncRNAs. This approach prevented senescence in the bones, joints, nervous system, heart, and blood vessels, with a potential impact on regeneration and the prevention of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, as well as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Senescence of the skin and liver could also be prevented through the regulation of cellular levels of specific lncRNAs, resulting in the rejuvenation of cells from these organs and their potential protection from disease. From these exciting achievements, which support tissue regeneration and are not restricted to stem cells, we propose lncRNA regulation through RNA or gene therapies as a prospective preventive and therapeutic approach against aging and multiple aging-related diseases.

High serum Bhlhe40 levels are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Our previous studies have shown that the basic helix-loop-helix family member e40 (Bhlhe40) plays a critical role in regulating calcification and senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by high glucose. In this study, we determined the association between serum Bhlhe40 levels and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

247 patients with T2DM were included in this cross-sectional study between June 2021 and July 2022. The presence of subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated by carotid ultrasonography. Serum Bhlhe40 concentrations were measured with an ELISA kit.

RESULTS

Serum Bhlhe40 levels were remarkably higher in the subclinical atherosclerosis group than in the subjects without subclinical atherosclerosis (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between serum Bhlhe40 and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) (r = 0.155, p = 0.015). The optimal threshold of serum Bhlhe40 > 5.67 ng/mL had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.709 (p < 0.001). In addition, serum Bhlhe40 levels were associated with the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis (OR: 1.790, 95% CI: 1.414-2.266, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Serum Bhlhe40 levels were significantly higher in T2DM subjects with subclinical atherosclerosis and positively associated with C-IMT.

Regulation of SUMOylation on RNA metabolism in cancers

Post-translational modifications of proteins play very important roles in regulating RNA metabolism and affect many biological pathways. Here we mainly summarize the crucial functions of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification in RNA metabolism including transcription, splicing, tailing, stability and modification, as well as its impact on the biogenesis and function of microRNA (miRNA) in particular. This review also highlights the current knowledge about SUMOylation regulation in RNA metabolism involved in many cellular processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis, which is closely related to tumorigenesis and cancer progression.