MicroRNAs: a new therapeutic frontier for muscle wasting in chronic kidney disease

Muscle-enriched microRNA-486-mediated regulation of muscular atrophy and exercise

The objectives of this review were to understand the impact of microRNA-486 on myogenesis and muscle atrophy, and the change of microRNA-486 following exercise, and provide valuable information for improving muscle atrophy based on exercise intervention targeting microRNA-486. Muscle-enriched microRNAs (miRNAs), also referred to as myomiRs, control various processes in skeletal muscles, from myogenesis and muscle homeostasis to different responses to environmental stimuli such as exercise. MicroRNA-486 is a miRNA in which a stem-loop sequence is embedded within the ANKYRIN1 (ANK1) locus and is strictly conserved across mammals. MicroRNA-486 is involved in the development of muscle atrophy caused by aging, immobility, prolonged exposure to microgravity, or muscular and neuromuscular disorders. PI3K/AKT signaling is a positive pathway, as it increases muscle mass by increasing protein synthesis and decreasing protein degradation. MicroRNA-486 can activate this pathway by inhibiting phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), it may also indirectly inhibit the HIPPO signaling pathway to promote cell growth. Exercises regulate microRNA-486 expression both in blood and muscle. This review focused on the recent elucidation of sarcopenia regulation by microRNA-486 and its effects on pathological states, including primary muscular disease, secondary muscular disorders, and age-related sarcopenia. Additionally, the role of exercise in regulating skeletal muscle-enriched microRNA-486 was highlighted, along with its physiological significance. Growing evidence indicates that microRNA-486 significantly impacts the development of muscle atrophy. MicroRNA-486 has great potential to become a therapeutic target for improving muscle atrophy through exercise intervention.

Kinetics of changes in gene and microRNA expression related with muscle inflammation and protein degradation following LPS-challenge in weaned piglets

To test the dynamic changes of the expression of genes and microRNA in the gastrocnemius muscle after LPS challenge, 36 piglets were assigned to a control group (slaughtered 0 h after saline injection) and LPS groups (slaughtered at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 12 h after LPS treatment, respectively). After LPS treatment, the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α reached maximal levels at 1 h, 2 h, and 1 h, respectively (P < 0.05), and mRNA expression of TLR4, NODs, muscle-specific ring finger 1, and muscle atrophy F-box peaked at 12 h (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of miR-122, miR-135a, and miR-370 reduced at 1 h, 1 h, and 2 h, respectively (P < 0.05), and miR-34a, miR-224, miR-132, and miR-145 reached maximum expression levels at 1 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h, respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggested that mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was elevated in the early stage, mRNA expression of genes related to TLR4 and NODs signaling pathways and protein degradation increased in the later phase, and the expression of microRNA related to muscle inflammation and protein degradation changed in the early stage after LPS injection.

Mechanisms and Modulation of Oxidative/Nitrative Stress in Type 4 Cardio-Renal Syndrome and Renal Sarcopenia

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem and a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CKD could amplify the progression of chronic heart failure leading to the development of type 4 cardio-renal syndrome (T4CRS). The severity and persistence of heart failure are strongly associated with mortality risk in T4CRS. CKD is also a catabolic state leading to renal sarcopenia which is characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle strength and physical function. Renal sarcopenia also promotes the development of CVD and increases the mortality in CKD patients. In turn, heart failure developed in T4CRS could result in chronic muscle hypoperfusion and metabolic disturbances leading to or aggravating the renal sarcopenia. The interplay of multiple factors (e.g., comorbidities, over-activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system [RAAS], sympathetic nervous system [SNS], oxidative/nitrative stress, inflammation, etc.) may result in the progression of T4CRS and renal sarcopenia. Among these factors, oxidative/nitrative stress plays a crucial role in the complex pathomechanism and interrelationship between T4CRS and renal sarcopenia. In the heart and skeletal muscle, mitochondria, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases, uncoupled nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and xanthine oxidase are major ROS sources producing superoxide anion (O2^·−) and/or hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). O2^·− reacts with nitric oxide (NO) forming peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) which is a highly reactive nitrogen species (RNS). High levels of ROS/RNS cause lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, interacts with both DNA repair enzymes and transcription factors, leads to the oxidation/nitration of key proteins involved in contractility, calcium handling, metabolism, antioxidant defense mechanisms, etc. It also activates the inflammatory response, stress signals inducing cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, or cell death via different mechanisms (e.g., apoptosis, necrosis) and dysregulates autophagy. Therefore, the thorough understanding of the mechanisms which lead to perturbations in oxidative/nitrative metabolism and its relationship with pro-inflammatory, hypertrophic, fibrotic, cell death and other pathways would help to develop strategies to counteract systemic and tissue oxidative/nitrative stress in T4CRS and renal sarcopenia. In this review, we also focus on the effects of some well-known and novel pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and physical exercise on cardiac and skeletal muscle oxidative/nitrative stress in T4CRS and renal sarcopenia.

The Efficacy of Sustained Heat Treatment on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of heat applied for 8 hours immediately after or 24 hours after exercise on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in large skeletal muscle groups measured by subjective and objective means.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional repeated measure design study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Three groups of 20 subjects, age range 20 to 40 years.

INTERVENTION

Squats were conducted in three 5-minute bouts to initiate DOMS; 3 minutes of rest separated the bouts. One group had heat applied immediately after exercise, and a second group had heat applied 24 hours after exercise. A third group was the control group where no heat was applied.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual analog pain scales, muscle strength of quads, range of motion of quads, stiffness of quads (Continuous Passive Motion machine), algometer to measure quadriceps soreness, and blood myoglobin.

RESULTS

The most significant outcome was a reduction in soreness in the group that had low-temperature heat wraps applied immediately after exercise (P < 0.01). There was benefit to applying heat 24 hours after exercise, but to a smaller extent. This was corroborated by myoglobin, algometer, and stiffness data.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-level continuous heat wraps left for 8 hours just after heavy exercise reduced DOMS in the population tested as assessed by subjective and objective measures.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although cold is commonly used after heavy exercise to reduce soreness, heat applied just after exercise seems very effective in reducing soreness. Unlike cold, it increases flexibility of tissue and tissue blood flow. For joint, it is still probably better to use cold to reduce swelling.

The role of microRNAs in skeletal muscle health and disease

Over the last decade non-coding RNAs have emerged as importance regulators of gene expression. In particular, microRNAs are a class of small RNAs of ∼ 22 nucleotides that repress gene expression through a post-transcriptional mechanism. MicroRNAs have been shown to be involved in a broader range of biological processes, both physiological and pathological, including myogenesis, adaptation to exercise and various myopathies. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of what is currently known about the role of microRNAs in skeletal muscle health and disease.

Survivin-targeting Artificial MicroRNAs Mediated by Adenovirus Suppress Tumor Activity in Cancer Cells and Xenograft Models

Survivin is highly expressed in most human tumors and fetal tissue, and absent in terminally differentiated cells. It promotes tumor cell proliferation by negatively regulating cell apoptosis and facilitating cell division. Survivin's selective expression pattern suggests that it might be a suitable target for cancer therapy, which would promote death of transformed but not normal cells. This was tested using artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) targeting survivin. After screening, two effective amiRNAs, which knocked down survivin expression, were identified and cloned into a replication-defective adenoviral vector. Tumor cells infected with the recombinant vector downregulated expression of survivin and underwent apoptotic cell death. Further studies showed that apoptosis was associated with increases in caspase 3 and cleaved Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and activation of the p53 signaling pathway. Furthermore, amiRNA treatment caused blockade of mitosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. In vivo, survivin-targeting amiRNAs expressed by adenoviral vectors effectively delayed growth of hepatocellular and cervical carcinomas in mouse xenograft models. These results indicate that silencing of survivin by amiRNA has potential for treatment of cancer.

Antisense oligonucleotide treatment enhances the recovery of acute lung injury through IL-10-secreting M2-like macrophage-induced expansion of CD4+ regulatory T cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown as an important regulator in the pathologies of acute lung injury (ALI). However, the potential effect of miRNA-based therapeutic studies in ALI remains poorly understood. We assessed the effect of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) against miR-155 on the development of ALI using a murine ALI model. We found that miR-155 ASO treatment could enhance the recovery of ALI as evidenced by accelerated body weight back, reduced level of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein and proinflammatory cytokines, and reduced number of BAL cells. Adoptive cell transfer assay in RAG1(-/-) mice showed that CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediated the enhanced recovery of ALI. Mechanistic evidence showed that enhanced expansion of Tregs in vivo, dominantly induced by IL-10-secreting M2-like macrophages, was critical for their elevated proportion in miR-155 ASO-treated ALI mice. Finally, we report that C/EBPβ, a target molecule of miR-155, was upregulated and associated with IL-10 secretion and M2-like phenotype of macrophages. These data provided a previously unknown mechanism for miRNA-based therapy against ALI, which could ultimately aid the understanding of recovery of ALI and the development of new therapeutic strategies against clinical inflammatory lung disease.