CircTHBS1 targeting miR-211/CCND2 pathway to promote cell proliferation and migration potential in primary cystitis glandularis cells

Anti-cystitis glandularis action exerted by glycyrrhetinic acid: bioinformatics analysis and molecular validation

Cystitis glandularis (CG) is a chronic hyperplastic disorder of the bladder, and the available clinical drug therapy is insufficient currently. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a bioactive compound extracted from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, is found with beneficial actions, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. We previously reported that GA relieves CG symptoms in animal model, implying the potential application of GA to treat CG. However, the action mechanisms of GA against CG remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the pivotal targets and therapeutic effects of GA through integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Integrated bioinformatics analysis screened eleven potential therapeutic targets for GA against CG, and seven pivotal targets were identified subsequently. Enrichment gene analysis revealed GA exhibiting biological activities against CG via regulating multiple pharmacological targets and molecular pathways associated with inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Molecular docking computation revealed potent affinity and interaction between GA and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and mucin 1 (MUC1) proteins in CG. To validate biochemically, increased mRNA and protein expressions of PTGS2 and MUC1 were observed in human CG samples. Compared to CG mice, GA-treated CG mice exhibited reduced inflammatory cytokine contents and downregulated PTGS2 and MUC1 mRNA and protein levels. These integrated findings suggest the potential therapeutic effects of GA against CG via the regulation of targeting genes and pathways. However, further studies are necessary to perform and facilitate the clinical application of GA for treating CG.

MicroRNA-542-3p targets Pten to inhibit the myoblasts proliferation but suppresses myogenic differentiation independent of targeted Pten

BACKGROUND

Non-coding RNA is a key epigenetic regulation factor during skeletal muscle development and postnatal growth, and miR-542-3p was reported to be conserved and highly expressed in the skeletal muscle among different species. However, its exact functions in the proliferation of muscle stem cells and myogenesis remain to be determined.

METHODS

Transfection of proliferative and differentiated C2C12 cells used miR-542-3p mimic and inhibitor. RT-qPCR, EdU staining, immunofluorescence staining, cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), and Western blot were used to evaluate the proliferation and myogenic differentiation caused by miR-542-3p. The dual luciferase reporter analysis and rescued experiment of the target gene were used to reveal the molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

The data shows overexpression of miR-542-3p downregulation of mRNA and protein levels of proliferation marker genes, reduction of EdU+ cells, and cellular vitality. Additionally, knocking it down promoted the aforementioned phenotypes. For differentiation, the miR-542-3p gain-of-function reduced both mRNA and protein levels of myogenic genes, including MYOG, MYOD1, et al. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining immunized by MYHC antibody showed that the myotube number, fluorescence intensity, differentiation index, and myotube fusion index all decreased in the miR-542-3p mimic group, compared with the control group. Conversely, these phenotypes exhibited an increased trend in the miR-542-3p inhibitor group. Mechanistically, phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) was identified as the bona fide target gene of miR-542-3p by dual luciferase reporter gene assay, si-Pten combined with miR-542-3p inhibitor treatments totally rescued the promotion of proliferation by loss-function of miR-542-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that miR-542-3p inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of myoblast and Pten is a dependent target gene of miR-542-3p in myoblast proliferation, but not in differentiation.

Effects of long-term culture on the biological characteristics and RNA profiles of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Expansion in vitro prior to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) application is a necessary process. Functional and genomic stability has a crucial role in stem-cell-based therapies. However, the exact expression and co-expressed profiles of coding and non-coding RNAs in human bone marrow (BM)-MSCs in vitro aging are still lacking. In the present studies, the change of morphology, immunophenotype, and capacity of proliferation, differentiation, and immunoregulation of MSCs at passage (P) 4, P6, P8, P10, and P12 were investigated. RNA sequencing identified that 439 mRNAs, 65 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), 59 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 229 circular RNAs (circRNAs) were differentially expressed (DE) in P12 compared with P4, with a similar trend in P6. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified several significant biological processes and pathways, including binding, ossification, and Wnt and PPAR signaling pathways. Interaction and co-expression/localization analyses were performed for DE mRNAs and lncRNAs, and several key lncRNAs, circRNAs, and important pathways like autophagy and mitophagy were identified in the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Some key RNAs found in the bioinformatics analysis were validated. Our studies indicate that replicative senescence of MSCs is a continuous process, including widespread alterations in biological characteristics and global gene expression patterns that need to be considered before therapeutic applications of MSCs.

CircTHBS1 facilitates the progression of interstitial cystitis depending on the regulation of miR-139-5p/MFN2 axis

Circular RNA (circRNA) have been found to play an important role in the progression of many diseases, including interstitial cystitis (IC). However, the role of circTHBS1 in IC progression is still unclear. Exploring the role and potential molecular mechanism of circTHBS1 in the development of IC. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess the levels of inflammatory cytokines. The expression levels of circTHBS1, microRNA (miR)-139-5p, and mitofusin 2 (MFN2) were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Cell proliferation and migration were determined using MTT assay, Edu staining, and transwell assay. The protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and MFN2 were examined using western blot analysis. The relationship between miR-139-5p and circTHBS1 or MFN2 was confirmed using the dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. CircTHBS1 was highly repressed in IC tissues and cells, and its expression was positively correlated with the inflammatory response of IC patients. CircTHBS1 could promote the proliferation, migration, EMT process, and inflammation of IC cells, while its knockdown had an opposite effect. CircTHBS1 could serve as a sponge of miR-139-5p, and miR-139-5p could participate in the regulation of circTHBS1 on IC cell progression. In addition, miR-139-5p could target MFN2, and it could inhibit the progression of IC cells by targeting MFN2. Furthermore, circTHBS1 sponged miR-139-5p to positively regulate MFN2. CircTHBS1 promoted IC cell proliferation, migration, EMT process, and inflammation by regulating the miR-139-5p/MFN2 axis indicating that circTHBS1 might be a potential target for IC treatment.