PLGA microspheres carrying miR-20a-5p improved intestinal epithelial barrier function in patients with Crohn's disease through STAT3-mediated inhibition of Th17 differentiation

PLGA microspheres carrying EMSCs-CM for the effective treatment of murine ulcerative colitis

Ectodermal mesenchymal stem cells-derived conditioned medium (EMSCs-CM) has been reported to protect against ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice, but its underlying mechanism in alleviating UC need to be further elucidated. Here, it is reported that EMSCs-CM could attenuate pro-inflammatory response of LPS-induced IEC-6 cells and regulate the polarization of macrophages towards anti-inflammatory type in vitro. Furthermore, PLGA microspheres prepared by the double emulsion method were constructed for oral delivery of EMSCs-CM (EMSCs-CM-PLGA), which are beneficial for colon-targeted adhesion of EMSCs-CM to the damaged colon mucosa. The results showed that orally-administered of EMSCs-CM-PLGA microspheres reduced inflammatory cells infiltration and maintained the intestinal mucosal barrier. Further investigation found that EMSCs-CM-PLGA microspheres treatment gradually inhibited the activation of NF-κB pathway to regulate M1/M2 polarization balance in colon tissue macrophages, thereby alleviating DSS-induced UC. These results of this study will provide a theoretical basis for clinical application of EMSCs-CM in UC repair.

Exploring shared molecular signatures and regulatory mechanisms in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and inflammatory bowel disease using integrative bioinformatics analysis

The co-existence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has raised interest in identifying shared molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. However, the relationship between these two diseases remains unclear and effective medical treatments are still lacking. Through the bioinformatics analysis in this study, 116 shared differentially expressed genes (SDEGs) were identified between IBD and NASH datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed significant involvement of SDEGs in apoptotic processes, cell death, defense response, cytokine and chemokine activity, and signaling pathways. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified five shared signature genes associated specifically with IBD and NASH, they were CXCL9, GIMAP2, ADAMTS5, GRAP, and PRF1. These five genes represented potential diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing patients with diseases from healthy individuals by using two classifier algorithms and were positively related to autophagy, ferroptosis, angiogenesis, and immune checkpoint factors in the two diseases. Additionally, single-cell analysis of IBD and NASH samples highlighted the expression of regulatory genes in various immune cell subtypes, emphasizing their significance in disease pathogenesis. Our work elucidated the shared signature genes and regulatory mechanisms of IBD and NASH, which could provide new potential therapies for patients with IBD and NASH.

miR-17-92a-1 cluster host gene: a key regulator in colorectal cancer development and progression

Colorectal cancer (CRC), recognized among the five most prevalent malignancies and most deadly cancers, manifests multifactorial influences stemming from environmental exposures, dietary patterns, age, and genetic predisposition. Although substantial progress has been made in comprehending the etiology of CRC, the precise genetic components driving its pathogenesis remain incompletely elucidated. Within the expansive repertoire of non-coding RNAs, particular focus has centered on the miR-17-92a-1 cluster host gene (MIR17HG) and its associated miRNAs, which actively participate in diverse cellular processes and frequently exhibit heightened expression in various solid tumors, notably CRC. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to undertake an extensive inquiry into the regulatory mechanisms, structural features, functional attributes, and potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications associated with this cluster in CRC. Furthermore, the intricate interplay between this cluster and the development and progression of CRC will be explored. Our findings underscore the upregulation of the miR-17-92a-1 cluster host gene (MIR17HG) and its associated miRNAs in CRC compared to normal tissues, thus implying their profound involvement in the progression of CRC. Collectively, these molecules are implicated in critical oncogenic processes, encompassing metastatic activity, regulation of apoptotic pathways, cellular proliferation, and drug resistance. Consequently, these findings shed illuminating insights into the potential of MIR17HG and its associated miRNAs as promising targets for therapeutic interventions in the management of CRC.

Infliximab therapy decreases the expression of serum and faecal miR-126 and miR-20a in paediatric Crohn's disease: A pilot study

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the serum and faecal expression of miR-126 and miR-20a in children with Crohn's disease (CD) during infliximab (IFX) therapy.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, serum and faeces from CD patients were collected before IFX therapy (T0), after induction (T1) and after 6 months from IFX (T2). IFX levels were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at T1 and T2. miRNAs were profiled through Real-Time RT-PCR. The activity of disease was evaluated through the Paediatric Crohn's disease activity index (PCDAI), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin.

RESULTS

Nine CD children were enrolled. Serum and faecal miR-126 and miR-20a levels were higher at T0 and showed a time-dependent decrease, being significantly down-regulated after IFX treatment at T2. Specifically, IFX levels recorded at T1 and T2 negatively correlated with the serum and faecal expression of miR-126 and miR-20a. Serum and faecal changes of miR-126 and miR20-a were positively associated with the decrease of the inflammatory marker CRP and PDCAI at all time points.

CONCLUSION

In children with CD, IFX therapy decreases the expression of serum and faecal miR-126 and miR-20a, suggesting an involvement of these two miRNAs in the action of the drug.

An altered expression of miR-376a-3p and miR-20a-5p in peripheral blood exosomes regulates the autophagy and inflammatory systemic substrates, and relates to the smoking habit and age in Crohn's disease

miRNAs are short single-stranded noncoding RNAs that participate as epigenetic regulators in inflammatory bowel disease. Most miRNAs detectable in serum are concentrated in exosomes, with relevant cargo for immunobiological processes. We set to evaluate the exosomes miRNAs content in the serum of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and run a prospective observational study on CD patients on biological monotherapy and healthy controls. miRNA cargo was evaluated in peripheral blood-derived exosomes. Serum autophagy and inflammatory substrates were measured. Patients were followed for 6 months. Patients (n = 28) showed an overexpression of miR-376a-3p and a downregulation of miR-20a-5p compared to controls (n = 10), without significant differences between patients according to biologics. Serum autophagy substrates ATG4C (r = .57; p = .001) and ACRV1C (r = .66; p = .001) inversely correlated with miR-376a-3p expression, whereas IGF1R correlated with miR-20a-5p expression (r = .42; p = .02). Th1-related cytokines correlated with miR-376a-3p expression, whereas the Th17-associated cytokines inversely correlated with miR-20a-5p expression. Smoking (β = -2.301 CI 95% -3.790/-0.811, p = .004) remained as independent factor related to the overexpression of miR-376a-3p, whereas diagnosis before 16 years of age (β = 2.044 CI 95% 0.934/3.154, p = .001) and a younger age of patients (β = -.720 CI 95% -0.108/-0.035, p = .001) were related to decreased miR-20a-5p expression. Seven patients (25%) had a flare in the 6-month follow-up. Patients with overexpression of miR-376a-3p at the baseline showed an increased risk of flare during this period (OR 0.475 [0.237-0.950], p = .035). Finally, a comparative miRNA signature between biologic monotherapies was also explored. Targeting miR-376a-3p and miR-20a-5p epigenetic regulators may yield homeostatic effects on relevant biological processes related to disease progression in CD patients.

MicroRNA-based therapeutics for inflammatory disorders of the microbiota-gut-brain axis

An emerging but less explored shared pathophysiology across microbiota-gut-brain axis disorders is aberrant miRNA expression, which may represent novel therapeutic targets. miRNAs are small, endogenous non-coding RNAs that are important transcriptional repressors of gene expression. Most importantly, they regulate the integrity of the intestinal epithelial and blood-brain barriers and serve as an important communication channel between the gut microbiome and the host. A well-defined understanding of the mode of action, therapeutic strategies and delivery mechanisms of miRNAs is pivotal in translating the clinical applications of miRNA-based therapeutics. Accumulating evidence links disorders of the microbiota-gut-brain axis with a compromised gut-blood-brain-barrier, causing gut contents such as immune cells and microbiota to enter the bloodstream leading to low-grade systemic inflammation. This has the potential to affect all organs, including the brain, causing central inflammation and the development of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. In this review, we have examined in detail miRNA biogenesis, strategies for therapeutic application, delivery mechanisms, as well as their pathophysiology and clinical applications in inflammatory gut-brain disorders. The research data in this review was drawn from the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov. With increasing evidence of the pathophysiological importance for miRNAs in microbiota-gut-brain axis disorders, therapeutic targeting of cross-regulated miRNAs in these disorders displays potentially transformative and translational potential. Further preclinical research and human clinical trials are required to further advance this area of research.

Harnessing polymer-derived drug delivery systems for combating inflammatory bowel disease

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is incurable, chronic, recrudescent disorders in the inflamed intestines. Current clinic treatments are challenged by systemic exposure-induced severe side effects, inefficiency after long-term treatment, and increased risks of infection and malignancy due to immunosuppression. Fortunately, naturally bioactive small molecules, reactive oxygen species scavengers (or antioxidants), and gut microbiota modulators have emerged as promising candidates for the IBD treatment. Polymeric systems have been engineered as a delivery vehicle to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of these therapeutic agents through targeting the mucosa and enhancing intestinal adhesion and retention, and reduce their systemic toxicity. Herein we survey polymer-derived drug delivery systems for combating the IBD. Advanced delivery technologies, therapeutic intervention strategies, and the principles for the construction of hierarchical, mucosa-targeting, and bioresponsive systems are elaborated, providing insights into design and development of from-bench-to-bedside drug delivery polymeric systems for the IBD treatment.

MicroRNAs in T Cell-Immunotherapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as master regulators of gene expression in homeostasis and disease. Despite the rapidly growing body of evidence on the theranostic potential of restoring miRNA levels in pre-clinical models, the translation into clinics remains limited. Here, we review the current knowledge of miRNAs as T-cell targeting immunotherapeutic tools, and we offer an overview of the recent advances in miRNA delivery strategies, clinical trials and future perspectives in RNA interference technologies.