miR-301a Suppression within Fibroblasts Limits the Progression of Fibrosis through the TSC1/mTOR Pathway

Multifaceted role of microRNA-301a in human cancer: from biomarker potential to therapeutic targeting

With the growing data on microRNA (miRNA) expression in tissues and circulation, there is increasing evidence for the potential of microRNAs to serve as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as novel therapeutic targets. The expression level of miRNA-301a (miR-301a) is altered in a wide range of human tumor types, and numerous studies have revealed the roles of miR-301a in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Herein, we comprehensively summarize, compare, and contrast the research advancements on the role of miR-301a in different cancers. Differential expression patterns of miR-301a in tissues and biofluids are implicated in cancer diagnosis, treatment response, and prognosis. MiR-301a modulates the expression of multiple genes, other noncoding RNAs, and signaling cascade via direct or indirect regulation in human cancer proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and radio- or chemotherapy resistance. Cancer cell-associated miR-301a affects the tumor microenvironment through the alteration of immune function and cancer metabolism. These findings highlight the functional roles, clinical implications, and therapeutic relevance of miR-301a in various human cancers.

miR-27a-3p promotes inflammatory response in infectious endophthalmitis via targeting TSC1

Infectious endophthalmitis (IE) poses a significant threat to vision. This study aimed to explore the impact of microRNA (miR)-27a-3p on inflammation in IE. A rat model was developed through intravitreal injection of lipopolysaccharide. Clinical and demographic data were collected for 54 participants: 31 diagnosed with IE and 23 non-infectious patients with idiopathic macular holes. Expression levels of miR-27a-3p and inflammatory genes were quantified via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in human vitreous samples were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro studies were conducted to explore the target gene of miR-27a-3p. The final animal experiments further verified the role of miR-27a-3p and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)1 in inflammatory responses. Results showed that miR-27a-3p was elevated in LPS-treated rats and IE patients. Thirty-one IE patients were divided into the High (n = 15) and Low (n = 16) groups according to the expression of miR-27a-3p. No significant differences were observed in baseline clinical and demographic characteristics between the control and IE patient groups. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels and concentrations were notably increased in both LPS-treated rats and the High group of patients. Besides, results showed that TSC1 is a target gene of miR-27a-3p. Moreover, TSC1 inhibition promoted inflammation in rat vitreous samples. In summary, our findings suggested that miR-27a-3p exacerbated inflammatory responses in IE though targeting TSC1, offering novel insights for potential therapeutic strategies targeting miR-27a-3p in the clinical management of IE.

mTOR in metabolic homeostasis and disease

The ability to maintain cellular metabolic homeostasis is critical to life, in which mTOR plays an important role. This kinase integrates upstream nutrient signals and performs essential functions in physiology and metabolism by increasing metabolism and suppressing autophagy. Thus, dysregulation of mTOR activity leads to diseases, especially metabolic diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and neurological disorders. Therefore, inhibition of overactivated mTOR becomes a rational approach to treat a variety of metabolic diseases. In this review, we discuss how mTOR responds to upstream signals and how mTOR regulates metabolic processes, including protein, nucleic acid, and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, we discuss the possible causes and consequences of dysregulated mTOR signaling activity, and summarize relevant applications, such as inhibition of mTOR activity to treat these diseases. This review will advance our comprehensive knowledge of the association between mTOR and metabolic homeostasis, which has significant ramifications for human health.

Quantitative proteomics of the miR-301a/SOCS3/STAT3 axis reveals underlying autism and anxiety-like behavior

Autism is a widespread neurodevelopmental disorder. Although the research on autism spectrum disorders has been increasing in the past decade, there is still no specific answer to its mechanism of action and treatment. As a pro-inflammatory microRNA, miR-301a is abnormally expressed in various psychiatric diseases including autism. Here, we show that miR-301a deletion and inhibition exhibited two distinct abnormal behavioral phenotypes in mice. We observed that miR-301a deletion in mice impaired learning/memory, and enhanced anxiety. On the contrary, miR-301a inhibition effectively reduced the maternal immune activation (MIA)-induced autism-like behaviors in mice. We further demonstrated that miR-301a bound to the 3'UTR region of the SOCS3, and that inhibition of miR-301a led to the upregulation of SOCS3 in hippocampus. The last result in the reduction of the inflammatory response by inhibiting phosphorylation of AKT and STAT3, and the expression level of IL-17A in poly(I:C)-induced autism-like features in mice. The obtained data revealed the miR-301a as a critical participant in partial behavior phenotypes, which may exhibit a divergent role between gene knockout and knockdown. Our findings ascertain that miR-301a negatively regulates SOCS3 in MIA-induced autism in mice and could present a new therapeutic target for ameliorating the behavioral abnormalities of autism.

pH-Sensitive Nanoparticles for Colonic Delivery Anti-miR-301a in Mouse Models of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Though the anti-miR-301a (anti-miR) is a promising treatment strategy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the degradability and the poor targeting of the intestine are a familiar issue. This study aimed to develop a multifunctional oral nanoparticle delivery system loaded with anti-miR for improving the targeting ability and the therapeutic efficacy. The HA-CS/ES100/PLGA nanoparticles (HCeP NPs) were prepared using poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer (PLGA), enteric material Eudragit®S100 (ES100), chitosan (CS), and hyaluronic acid (HA). The toxicity of nanoparticles was investigated via the Cell Counting Kit-8, and the cellular uptake and inflammatory factors of nanoparticles were further studied. Moreover, we documented the colon targeting and pharmacodynamic properties of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles with uniform particle size exhibited pH-sensitive release, favorable gene protection, and storage stability. Cytology experiments showed that anti-miR@HCeP NPs improved the cellular uptake through HA and reduced pro-inflammatory factors. Administering anti-miR@HCeP NPs orally to IBD mice markedly reduced their pro-inflammatory factors levels and disease activity indices. We also confirmed that anti-miR@HCeP NPs mostly accumulated in the colon site, and effectively repaired the intestinal barrier, as well as relieved intestinal inflammation. The above nanoparticle is a candidate of the treatment for IBD due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting endothelial to mesenchymal transition

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and chronic lung disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and fibroblast proliferation. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) serves as a source of fibroblasts and contributes to PF progression. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), a steroidal saponin extracted from ginseng, is known to have pharmacological effects on vascular diseases. We have previously demonstrated that Rg3 inhibits EndMT and prevents endothelial dysfunction. Thus, we hypothesized that Rg3 may be a potential therapeutic agent for PF-targeting EndMT. EndMT occurs in the lung tissue of a bleomycin-induced PF mouse model, which was confirmed by co-staining of endothelial and mesenchymal markers in the pulmonary vasculature and changes in the expression of these markers. Rg3 administration decreased EndMT and suppressed PF development. We also examined the effect of Rg3 in an in vitro EndMT model induced by co-treatment with TGF-β2 and IL-1β. Rg3 treatment alleviated the characteristics of EndMT such as spindle-shaped morphological changes, EndMT marker expression changes, Dil-Ac-LDL uptake and migratory properties. In addition, we demonstrated the mechanism by which Rg3 inhibits EndMT by regulating the Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Collectively, Rg3 can be a potential therapeutic agent for PF using the EndMT inhibition strategy, furthermore, it can be considered Rg3 as a therapeutic candidate for various EndMT-associated vascular diseases.

Rocuronium bromide suppresses esophageal cancer via blocking the secretion of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 from cancer associated fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) communicate metabolically with tumor genesis and development. Rocuronium bromide (RB) is reported to exert certain inhibitory effect on tumor. Here, we investigate the role of RB in esophageal cancer (EC) malignant progression.

METHODS

Tumor xenograft models with EC cells were locally and systemically administrated with RB to detect the influence of different administrations on tumor progression. Mouse CAFs PDGFRα⁺/F4/80^- were sorted by Flow cytometry with specific antibodies. CAFs were treated with RB and co-cultured with EC cells. The proliferation, invasion and apoptosis assays of EC cells were performed to detect the influences of RB targeting CAFs on EC cell malignant progression. Human fibroblasts were employed to perform these detections to confirm RB indirect effect on EC cells. The gene expression changes of CAFs response to RB treatment were detected using RNA sequencing and verified by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and ELISA.

RESULTS

Tumors in xenograft mice were observed significantly inhibited by local RB administration, but not by systemic administration. Moreover EC cells did not show obvious change in viability when direct stimulated with RB in vitro. However, when CAFs treated with RB were co-cultured with EC cells, obvious suppressions were observed in EC cell malignancy, including proliferation, invasion and apoptosis. Human fibroblasts were employed to perform these assays and similar results were obtained. RNA sequencing data of human fibroblast treated with RB, and Western blot, immunohistochemistry and ELISA results all showed that CXCL12 expression was significantly diminished in vivo and in vitro by RB. EC cells direct treated with CXCL12 showed much higher malignancy. Moreover cell autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in CAFs were both suppressed by RB which can be reversed by Rapamycin pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that RB could repress PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy to block the CXCL12 expression in CAFs, thereby weakening the CXCL12-mediated EC tumor progression. Our data provide a novel insight into the underlying mechanism of RB inhibiting EC, and emphasize the importance of tumor microenvironment (cytokines from CAFs) in modulating cancer malignant progression.

miR-301a Deficiency Attenuates the Macrophage Migration and Phagocytosis through YY1/CXCR4 Pathway

(1) Background: the miR-301a is well known involving the proliferation and migration of tumor cells. However, the role of miR-301a in the migration and phagocytosis of macrophages is still unclear. (2) Methods: sciatic nerve injury, liver injury models, as well as primary macrophage cultures were prepared from the miR-301a knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice to assess the macrophage's migration and phagocytosis capabilities. Targetscan database analysis, Western blotting, siRNA transfection, and CXCR4 inhibition or activation were performed to reveal miR301a's potential mechanism. (3) Results: the macrophage's migration and phagocytosis were significantly attenuated by the miR-301a KO both in vivo and in vitro. MiR-301a can target Yin-Yang 1 (YY1), and miR-301a KO resulted in YY1 up-regulation and CXCR4 (YY1's down-stream molecule) down-regulation. siYY1 increased the expression of CXCR4 and enhanced migration and phagocytosis in KO macrophages. Meanwhile, a CXCR4 inhibitor or agonist could attenuate or accelerate, respectively, the macrophage migration and phagocytosis. (4) Conclusions: current findings indicated that miR-301a plays important roles in a macrophage's capabilities of migration and phagocytosis through the YY1/CXCR4 pathway. Hence, miR-301a might be a promising therapeutic candidate for inflammatory diseases by adjusting macrophage bio-functions.

Role of MicroRNAs in Signaling Pathways Associated with the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Focus on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive disease with high mortality and unclear etiology. Previous evidence supports that the origin of this disease is associated with epigenetic alterations, age, and environmental factors. IPF initiates with chronic epithelial lung injuries, followed by basal membrane destruction, which promotes the activation of myofibroblasts and excessive synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Due to miRNAs’ role as regulators of apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and cell-cell interaction processes, some studies have involved miRNAs in the biogenesis and progression of IPF. In this context, the analysis and discussion of the probable association of miRNAs with the signaling pathways involved in the development of IPF would improve our knowledge of the associated molecular mechanisms, thereby facilitating its evaluation as a therapeutic target for this severe lung disease. In this work, the most recent publications evaluating the role of miRNAs as regulators or activators of signal pathways associated with the pathogenesis of IPF were analyzed. The search in Pubmed was made using the following terms: “miRNAs and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)”; “miRNAs and IPF and signaling pathways (SP)”; and “miRNAs and IPF and SP and IPF pathogenesis”. Additionally, we focus mainly on those works where the signaling pathways involved with EMT, fibroblast differentiation, and synthesis of ECM components were assessed. Finally, the importance and significance of miRNAs as potential therapeutic or diagnostic tools for the treatment of IPF are discussed.

Catalpol Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis by Inhibiting Ang II/AT1 and TGF-β/Smad-Mediated Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and devastating chronic lung condition affecting over 3 million people worldwide with a high mortality rate and there are no effective drugs. Angiotensin II (Ang II), as a major effector peptide of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, has been shown to act in tandem with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway to promote the infiltration of inflammatory cells, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and profibrotic factors after lung injury, and to participate in the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Catalpol (CAT) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. However, the effects and mechanisms of CAT on pulmonary fibrosis are not clear.

Purpose

To assess the effects and mechanisms of catalpol on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Methods

We used bleomycin-induced mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis to evaluate the alleviation effect of CAT at 7, 14, 28d, respectively. Next, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunofluorescence, Masson trichrome staining and western blotting were used to study the underlying mechanism of CAT on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Results

It's demonstrated that CAT exerted a potent anti-fibrotic function in BLM-induced mice pulmonary fibrosis via alleviating inflammatory, ameliorating collagen deposition, reducing the level of Ang II and HYP and alleviating the degree of EMT. Moreover, CAT attenuate BLM-induced fibrosis by targeting Ang II/AT₁ and TGF-β/Smad signaling in vivo.

Conclusion

CAT may serve as a novel therapeutic candidate for the simultaneous blockade of Ang II and TGF-β pathway to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis.

LncRNA H19 acts as miR-301a-3p sponge to alleviate lung injury in mice with sepsis by regulating Adcy1

BACKGROUND

The abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is closely related to disease progression. However, the role and mechanism of lncRNA H19 (lncH19) in sepsis-induced lung injury remain to be elucidated.

METHODS

Cercal ligation and puncture (CLP) mice models and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell injury model were used to construct sepsis-induced lung injury in vivo and in vitro. The expression of lncH19, microRNA (miR)-301a-3p and adenylate cyclase 1 (Adcy1) mRNA was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. The concentrations of inflammatory factors were determined by ELISA assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using cell counting kit 8 assay, EdU staining and flow cytometry. The protein expression of apoptosis markers and Adcy1 was examined by western blot analysis. Oxidative stress was assessed by detecting the contents of oxidative stress markers. The interaction between miR-301a-3p and lncH19 or Adcy1 was confirmed using RNA pull-down assay, dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay.

RESULTS

LncH19 was lowly expressed in CLP mice models and LPS-induced cell injury models. Overexpressed lncH19 could alleviate CLP-induced lung injury in mice, as well as LPS-induced cell apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. MiR-301a-3p could be sponged by lncH19, and its overexpression could reverse the inhibition of lncH19 on LPS-induced cell injury. Adcy1 was a target of miR-301a-3p, and its expression was upregulated by lncH19. Silencing of Adcy1 could abolish the suppressive effect of miR-301a-3p inhibitor on LPS-induced cell injury.

CONCLUSION

LncH19 might inhibit sepsis-induced lung injury through acting as a sponge of miR-301a-3p to upregulate Adcy1.Highlights:LncH19 overexpression relieves CLP-induced lung injury and LPS-induced cell injury.LncH19 directly sponges miR-301a-3p.MiR-301a-3p targets Adcy1.

Inflammatory-miR-301a circuitry drives mTOR and Stat3-dependent PSC activation in chronic pancreatitis and PanIN

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the main cells involved in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesion (PanIN). Fine-tuning the precise molecular targets in PSC activation might help the development of PSC-specific therapeutic strategies to tackle progression of pancreatic cancer-related fibrosis. miR-301a is a pro-inflammatory microRNA known to be activated by multiple inflammatory factors in the tumor stroma. Here, we show that miR-301a is highly expressed in activated PSCs in mice, sustained tissue fibrosis in caerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis, and accelerated PanIN formation. Genetic ablation of miR-301a reduced pancreatic fibrosis in mouse models with chronic pancreatitis and PanIN. Cell proliferation and activation of PSCs was inhibited by downregulation of miR-301a via two of its targets, Tsc1 and Gadd45g. Moreover, aberrant PSC expression of miR-301a and Gadd45g restricted the interplay between PSCs and pancreatic cancer cells in tumorigenesis. Our findings suggest that miR-301a activates two major cell proliferation pathways, Tsc1/mTOR and Gadd45g/Stat3, in vivo, to facilitate development of inflammatory-induced PanIN and maintenance of PSC activation and desmoplasia in pancreatic cancer.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: An Update on Pathogenesis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, lethal fibrotic lung disease that occurs primarily in middle-aged and elderly adults. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. With an increase in life expectancy, the economic burden of IPF is expected to continuously rise in the near future. Although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying IPF remain not known. Significant progress has been made in our understanding of the pathogenesis of this devastating disease in last decade. The current paradigm assumes that IPF results from sustained or repetitive lung epithelial injury and subsequent activation of fibroblasts and myofibroblast differentiation. Persistent myofibroblast phenotype contributes to excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and aberrant lung repair, leading to tissue scar formation, distortion of the alveolar structure, and irreversible loss of lung function. Treatments of patients with IPF by pirfenidone and nintedanib have shown significant reduction of lung function decline and slowing of disease progression in patients with IPF. However, these drugs do not cure the disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances on the pathogenesis of IPF and highlight the development of novel therapeutic strategies against the disease.

Role of TSC1 in physiology and diseases

Since its initial discovery as the gene altered in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), an autosomal dominant disorder, the interest in TSC1 (Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1) has steadily risen. TSC1, an essential component of the pro-survival PI3K/AKT/MTOR signaling pathway, plays an important role in processes like development, cell growth and proliferation, survival, autophagy and cilia development by co-operating with a variety of regulatory molecules. Recent studies have emphasized the tumor suppressive role of TSC1 in several human cancers including liver, lung, bladder, breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. TSC1 perceives inputs from various signaling pathways, including TNF-α/IKK-β, TGF-β-Smad2/3, AKT/Foxo/Bim, Wnt/β-catenin/Notch, and MTOR/Mdm2/p53 axis, thereby regulating cancer cell proliferation, metabolism, migration, invasion, and immune regulation. This review provides a first comprehensive evaluation of TSC1 and illuminates its diverse functions apart from its involvement in TSC genetic disorder. Further, we have summarized the physiological functions of TSC1 in various cellular events and conditions whose dysregulation may lead to several pathological manifestations including cancer.