miR-34b-5p promotes renal cell inflammation and apoptosis by inhibiting aquaporin-2 in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury

Aquaporin 2 in Cerebral Edema: Potential Prognostic Marker in Craniocerebral Injuries

Despite continuous medical advancements, traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Consequently, there is a pursuit for biomarkers that allow non-invasive monitoring of patients after cranial trauma, potentially improving clinical management and reducing complications and mortality. Aquaporins (AQPs), which are crucial for transmembrane water transport, may be significant in this context. This study included 48 patients, with 27 having acute (aSDH) and 21 having chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Blood plasma samples were collected from the participants at three intervals: the first sample before surgery, the second at 15 h, and the third at 30 h post-surgery. Plasma concentrations of AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, and AQP9 were determined using the sandwich ELISA technique. CT scans were performed on all patients pre- and post-surgery. Correlations between variables were examined using Spearman's nonparametric rank correlation coefficient. A strong correlation was found between aquaporin 2 levels and the volume of chronic subdural hematoma and midline shift. However, no significant link was found between aquaporin levels (AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, and AQP9) before and after surgery for acute subdural hematoma, nor for AQP1, AQP4, and AQP9 after surgery for chronic subdural hematoma. In the chronic SDH group, AQP2 plasma concentration negatively correlated with the midline shift measured before surgery (Spearman's ρ -0.54; p = 0.017) and positively with hematoma volume change between baseline and 30 h post-surgery (Spearman's ρ 0.627; p = 0.007). No statistically significant correlation was found between aquaporin plasma levels and hematoma volume for AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, and AQP9 in patients with acute SDH. There is a correlation between chronic subdural hematoma volume, measured radiologically, and serum AQP2 concentration, highlighting aquaporins' potential as clinical biomarkers.

Ionic Liquid Gating Induces Anomalous Permeation through Membrane Channel Proteins

Membrane channel proteins (MCPs) play key roles in matter transport through cell membranes and act as major targets for vaccines and drugs. For emerging ionic liquid (IL) drugs, a rational understanding of how ILs affect the structure and transport function of MCP is crucial to their design. In this work, GPU-accelerated microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the modulating mechanism of ILs on MCP. Interestingly, ILs prefer to insert into the lipid bilayer and channel of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) but adsorb on the entrance of voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav). Molecular trajectory and free energy analysis reflect that ILs have a minimal impact on the structure of MCPs but significantly influence MCP functions. It demonstrates that ILs can decrease the overall energy barrier for water through AQP2 by 1.88 kcal/mol, whereas that for Na+ through Nav is increased by 1.70 kcal/mol. Consequently, the permeation rates of water and Na+ can be enhanced and reduced by at least 1 order of magnitude, respectively. Furthermore, an abnormal IL gating mechanism was proposed by combining the hydrophobic nature of MCP and confined water/ion coordination effects. More importantly, we performed experiments to confirm the influence of ILs on AQP2 in human cells and found that treatment with ILs significantly accelerated the changes in cell volume in response to altered external osmotic pressure. Overall, these quantitative results will not only deepen the understanding of IL-cell interactions but may also shed light on the rational design of drugs and disease diagnosis.

Aquaporin Expression and Regulation in Clinical and Experimental Sepsis

Sepsis is an inflammatory disorder caused by the host's dysfunctional response to infection. Septic patients present diverse clinical characteristics, and in the recent years, it has been the main cause of death in intensive care units (ICU). Aquaporins, membrane proteins with a role in water transportation, have been reported to participate in numerous biological processes. Their role in sepsis progression has been studied extensively. This review aims to examine recent literature on aquaporin expression and regulation in clinical sepsis, as well as established experimental models of sepsis. We will present how sepsis affects aquaporin expression at the molecular and protein level. Moreover, we will delve into the importance of aquaporin regulation at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels in sepsis by presenting data on aquaporin regulation by non-coding RNAs and selected chemical molecules. Finally, we will focus on the importance of aquaporin single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the setting of sepsis.

Proinflammatory Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomal miR-150-3p Suppresses Proinflammatory Polarization of Alveolar Macrophages in Sepsis by Targeting Inhibin Subunit Beta A

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes can protect lung tissues against sepsis, but its related mechanism remains elusive. BMSCs were primed with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) before extracting exosomes. The isolated exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blot. LPS-stimulated macrophages were cocultured with exosomes for 24 h, followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and molecular experiments. Bioinformatics and luciferase assay were employed to investigate the interaction between miR-150-3p and inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA). MiR-150-3p expression was increased in exosomes in a proinflammatory environment. Exosomes suppressed proinflammatory polarization by downregulating IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS, and CD86, as well as promoted anti-inflammatory polarization by upregulating IL-10, ARG-1, and CD206 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Such effects were more pronounced by LPS-primed exosomes, which was reversed in the absence of miR-150-3p. MiR-150-3p targeted INHBA. INHBA silencing decreased CD86 expression and increased CD206 expression in macrophages, but these effects were reversed by exosomal miR-150-3p inhibition. Proinflammatory BMSC-derived exosomal miR-150-3p suppressed proinflammatory polarization and promoted anti-inflammatory polarization of alveolar macrophages to attenuate LPS-induced sepsis by targeting INHBA.

Dexpanthenol protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury by restoring aquaporin-2 levels via regulation of the silent information regulator 1 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious pathology that causes dysfunction in concentrating urine due to kidney damage, resulting in blood pressure dysregulation and increased levels of toxic metabolites. Dexpanthenol (DEX), a pantothenic acid analog, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in various tissues. This study investigated the protective effects of DEX against systemic inflammation-induced AKI.

METHODS

Thirty-two female rats were randomly assigned to the control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+DEX, and DEX groups. LPS (5 mg/kg, single dose on the third day, 6 h before sacrifice) and DEX (500 mg/kg/d for 3 d) were administered intraperitoneally. After sacrifice, blood samples and kidney tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin, caspase-3 (Cas-3), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) staining were performed on the kidney tissues. The total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status were measured using spectrophotometric methods. Aquaporin-2 (AQP-2), silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis.

RESULTS

Histopathological analysis revealed that DEX treatment ameliorated histopathological changes. In the LPS group, an increase in the blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urea, IL-6, Cas-3, TNF-α, and TOS levels and oxidative stress index was observed compared with the control group, whereas AQP-2 and SIRT1 levels decreased. DEX treatment reversed these effects.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX was found to effectively prevent inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the kidneys via the SIRT1 signaling pathway. These protective properties suggest DEX's potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of kidney pathologies.

Roles of noncoding RNAs in septic acute kidney injury

Septic acute kidney injury (SAKI) is one of the most common and life-threatening complications of sepsis. Patients with SAKI have increased mortality. However, the underlying pathogenesis is unclear, and the treatment targeting SAKI is unsatisfactory. Thus, identifying optimal biomarkers for SAKI diagnosis and treatment is an urgent requisite. Accumulating evidence indicates that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the occurrence and progression of SAKI. In the present review, we summarized the studies of ncRNAs in SAKI, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). The ncRNAs are divided into protective and damage factors according to their role in SAKI, and their expression patterns, functions, and molecular mechanisms were elaborated. Next, we proposed that ncRNAs have the potential to be diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for SAKI and as new therapeutic targets. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of ncRNAs in SKAI and explored the clinical value of ncRNAs as ideal biomarkers of SAKI.

Downregulation of miR-527 alleviates sepsis-induced acute kidney injury via targeting Beclin1

BACKGROUND

Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is known to result from the inflammatory responses. MiRNAs participate in the development of sepsis-induced AKI. Nevertheless, the function of miR-527 in sepsis-induced AKI remains unclear.

METHODS

Cell viability was evaluated by CCK8 assay, and TUNEL staining was applied to assess cell apoptosis. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) levels were evaluated by ELISA. Meanwhile, the relation among miR-527 and Beclin1 was detected by dual luciferase report assay. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to examine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Furthermore, an in vivo model was constructed to assess the function of miR-527 in sepsis-induced AKI.

RESULTS

MiR-527 downregulation significantly alleviated the symptoms of sepsis-induced AKI in mice. MiR-527 level in HK-2 cells was significantly upregulated by LPS, and downregulation of miR-527 notably reversed LPS-induced inhibition of HK-2 cell viability by inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, LPS greatly increased TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β levels in supernatant of HK-2 cells, while miR-527 inhibitor partially restored this phenomenon. Meanwhile, Beclin1 was found to be the downstream mRNA of miR-527, and miR-527 inhibitor notably upregulated the level of LC3. MiR-527 downregulation reversed LPS-induced HK-2 cell injury through suppression of TGF-β pathway.

CONCLUSION

Downregulation of miR-527 alleviated sepsis-induced AKI via targeting Beclin1. Thus, miR-527 might act as a vital mediator in sepsis-induced AKI.

Dysregulation of Serum MicroRNA after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Aged Mice

Stroke is one of the most common diseases that leads to brain injury and mortality in patients, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most devastating subtype of stroke. Though the prevalence of ICH increases with aging, the effect of aging on the pathophysiology of ICH remains largely understudied. Moreover, there is no effective treatment for ICH. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of circulating microRNAs as non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various pathological conditions. While many studies have identified microRNAs that play roles in the pathophysiology of brain injury, few demonstrated their functions and roles after ICH. Given this significant knowledge gap, the present study aims to identify microRNAs that could serve as potential biomarkers of ICH in the elderly. To this end, sham or ICH was induced in aged C57BL/6 mice (18–24 months), and 24 h post-ICH, serum microRNAs were isolated, and expressions were analyzed. We identified 28 significantly dysregulated microRNAs between ICH and sham groups, suggesting their potential to serve as blood biomarkers of acute ICH. Among those microRNAs, based on the current literature, miR-124-3p, miR-137-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-219a-2-3p, miR-135a-5p, miR-541-5p, and miR-770-3p may serve as the most promising blood biomarker candidates of ICH, warranting further investigation.

MicroRNAs in septic acute kidney injury

Sepsis is a potentially fatal complication of burns and trauma that can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) with substantial morbidity and mortality, but this disease is poorly understood. Despite medical advances, effective therapeutic regimens for septic AKI remain uncommon. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that influence the translation of target messenger RNAs in a variety of biological processes. Emerging evidence has shown that miRNAs are intimately associated with septic AKI. The goal of this review was to summarize recent advances in the profound understanding of the functional role of miRNAs in septic AKI, as well as to provide new insights into miRNAs as feasible biomarkers and therapeutic targets for septic AKI.

New mechanisms involved in the development of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a pathology with a high worldwide incidence and an upward trend affecting the elderly. When CKD is very advanced, the use of renal replacement therapies is required to prolong its life (dialysis or kidney transplantation). Although dialysis improves many complications of CKD, the disease does not reverse completely. These patients present an increase in oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which cause endothelial damage and the development of different cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CKD patients develop premature diseases associated with advanced age, such as CVD. EVs play an essential role in developing CVD in patients with CKD since their number increases in plasma and their content is modified. The EVs of patients with CKD cause endothelial dysfunction, senescence and vascular calcification. In addition, miRNAs free or transported in EVs together with other components carried in these EVs promote endothelial dysfunction, thrombotic and vascular calcification in CKD, among other effects. This review describes the classic factors and focuses on the role of new mechanisms involved in the development of CVD associated with CKD, emphasizing the role of EVs in the development of cardiovascular pathologies in the context of CKD. Moreover, the review summarized the EVs' role as diagnostic and therapeutic tools, acting on EV release or content to avoid the development of CVD in CKD patients.

Annexin A1 (Ac2-26)-dependent Fpr2 receptor alleviates sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis in vivo and in vitro

OBJECTIVES

Excessive inflammatory responses and apoptosis are critical pathologies that contribute to sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SI-AKI). Annexin A1 (ANXA1), a member of the calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein family, protects against SI-AKI through its anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, but the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown.

METHODS

In vivo, SI-AKI mouse models were established via caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and were then treated with the Ac2-26 peptide of ANXA1 (ANXA1 (Ac2-26)), WRW4 (Fpr2 antagonist) or both. In vitro, HK-2 cells were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then treated with ANXA1 (Ac2-26), Fpr2-siRNA or both.

RESULTS

In the present study, we found that the expression levels of ANXA1 were decreased, and the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8 and Bax were significantly increased, accompanied by marked kidney tissue apoptosis in vivo. Moreover, we observed that ANXA1 (Ac2-26) significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, FADD and Bax and inhibited apoptosis in kidney tissue and HK-2 cells, accompanied by pathological damage to kidney tissue. Seven-day survival, kidney function and cell viability were significantly improved in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Furthermore, the administration of ANXA1 (Ac2-26) inhibited the CLP- or LPS-induced phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT and downregulated the level of NF-κB in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, our data demonstrate that blocking the Fpr2 receptor by the administration of WRW4 or Fpr2-siRNA reversed the abovementioned regulatory role of ANXA1, accompanied by enhanced phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT and upregulation of the level of NF-κB in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, this study provides evidence that the protective effect of ANXA1 (Ac2-26) on SI-AKI largely depends on the negative regulation of inflammation and apoptosis via the Fpr2 receptor.

LncRNA OIP5-AS1 Mitigates Bupivacaine-Induced Neurotoxicity in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Through Regulating NFAT5 Expression via Sponging miR-34b

Bupivacaine (BUP), which is widely used in anesthesia, can cause neurotoxicity and neurological abnormalities. This work intended to study the function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) in BUP-triggered neurotoxicity. OIP5-AS1, microRNA (miR)-34b, and nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) levels were examined via real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Cell proliferation, caspase-3 activity, and apoptosis were assessed via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), caspase-3 activity, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The regulatory relationships between miR-34b and OIP5-AS1 or NFAT5 were validated via RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Our data demonstrated that OIP5-AS1 and NFAT5 levels were downregulated and miR-34b was upregulated upon exposure to BUP. Functional assays implied that the OIP5-AS1 deficiency impeded cell proliferation and enhanced the apoptosis of DRG neurons, while OIP5-AS1 addition reversed these changes. Moreover, OIP5-AS1 could bind to miR-34b and OIP5-AS1 regulated BUP-induced neurotoxicity via miR-34b. Besides, miR-34b could directly interact with NFAT5. Augmentation of miR-34b impeded cell proliferation and expedited the apoptosis and caspase-3 activity, while NFAT5 addition neutralized these impacts. Finally, it was verified that OIP5-AS1 could upregulate NFAT5 through sponging miR-34b. In sum, our results disclosed that OIP5-AS1 ameliorated BUP-caused neurotoxicity via regulating the miR-34b/NFAT5 axis, suggesting that OIP5-AS1 might be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of BUP-induced neurotoxicity.

Role of microRNA-34b-5p in cancer and injury: how does it work?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of noncoding single-stranded RNAs that can regulate gene expression by binding to the untranslated sequences at the 3 ' end of messenger RNAs. The microRNA-34 family is dysregulated in various human diseases. It is considered as a tumor-suppressive microRNA because of its synergistic effect with the well-known tumor suppressor p53. As a member of the miRNA-34 family, miR-34b-5p serves as a powerful regulator of a suite of cellular activities, including cell growth, multiplication, development, differentiation, and apoptosis. It promotes or represses disease occurrence and progression by participating in some important signaling pathways. This review aimed to provide an overview and update on the differential expression and function of miR-34b-5p in pathophysiologic processes, especially cancer and injury. Additionally, miR-34b-5p-mediated clinical trials have indicated promising consequences for the therapies of carcinomatosis and injury. With the application of the first tumor-targeted microRNA drug based on miR-34a mimics, it can be inferred that miR-34b-5p may become a crucial factor in the therapy of various diseases. However, further studies on miR-34b-5p should shed light on its involvement in disease pathogenesis and treatment options.

The Pathophysiology of Sepsis-Associated AKI

Sepsis-associated AKI is a life-threatening complication that is associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients who are critically ill. Although it is clear early supportive interventions in sepsis reduce mortality, it is less clear that they prevent or ameliorate sepsis-associated AKI. This is likely because specific mechanisms underlying AKI attributable to sepsis are not fully understood. Understanding these mechanisms will form the foundation for the development of strategies for early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis-associated AKI. Here, we summarize recent laboratory and clinical studies, focusing on critical factors in the pathophysiology of sepsis-associated AKI: microcirculatory dysfunction, inflammation, NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome, microRNAs, extracellular vesicles, autophagy and efferocytosis, inflammatory reflex pathway, vitamin D, and metabolic reprogramming. Lastly, identifying these molecular targets and defining clinical subphenotypes will permit precision approaches in the prevention and treatment of sepsis-associated AKI.

The Intersection of Acute Kidney Injury and Non-Coding RNAs: Inflammation

Acute renal injury (AKI) is a complex clinical syndrome, involving a series of pathophysiological processes, in which inflammation plays a key role. Identification and verification of gene signatures associated with inflammatory onset and progression are imperative for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in AKI pathogenesis. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), involved in epigenetic modifications of inflammatory responses, are associated with the aberrant expression of inflammation-related genes in AKI. However, its regulatory role in gene expression involves precise transcriptional regulation mechanisms which have not been fully elucidated in the complex and volatile inflammatory response of AKI. In this study, we systematically review current research on the intrinsic molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs that regulate the inflammatory response in AKI. We aim to provide potential research directions and strategies for developing ncRNA-targeted gene therapies as an intervention for the inflammatory damage in AKI.

Mechanism of circHIPK3-miRNA-124-3p/miRNA-148b-3p-Mediated Inflammatory Responses and Cell Senescence in Candida albicans-Induced Septic Acute Kidney Injury

INTRODUCTION

Sepsis is a life-threatening inflammatory state that can result in septic acute kidney injury (SAKI). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in various inflammatory diseases including SAKI. This study investigated the effect of circHIPK3 on inflammatory responses and cell senescence in Candida albicans-induced SAKI.

METHODS

circHIPK3 expression and inflammatory factors in the serum of SAKI patients and healthy volunteers were detected. The murine and cell models of SAKI were established by C. albicans and lipopolysaccharide induction, respectively. The effect of circHIPK3 on SAKI inflammatory responses and cell senescence was measured using ELISA, SA-β-gal staining, CCK-8, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. The binding relationships among circHIPK3, miR-124-3p, or miR-148b-3p and KLF6 or DNMT1/3a were confirmed. The binding of KLF6 and NLRP3 was determined, and the methylation level of the Klotho promoter was detected. Functional rescue experiments were performed to verify the effect of miR-124-3p or miR-148b-3p on SAKI.

RESULTS

circHIPK3 was highly expressed in SAKI. circHIPK3 silencing alleviated kidney injury in SAKI mice and enhanced SAKI cell viability by alleviating inflammatory responses and cell senescence. Mechanically, circHIPK3 upregulated KLF6 expression by competitively binding to miR-124-3p, thereby promoting the binding of KLF6 and NLRP3, activating NLRP3/caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis, and eventually aggravating SAKI inflammatory responses. circHIPK3 upregulated DNMT1/3a expression by competitively binding to miR-148b-3p, thus elevating the methylation level of Klotho promoter and accelerating SAKI cell senescence. Downregulation of miR-124-3p or miR-148b-3p attenuated the protective effect of circHIPK3 silencing on SAKI.

CONCLUSION

circHIPK3 aggravated SAKI inflammatory responses via miR-124-3p/KLF6 and accelerated SAKI cell senescence via miR-148b-3p/DNMT1/3a.

AQP2 Promotes Astrocyte Activation by Modulating the TLR4/NFκB-p65 Pathway Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Microglial and astrocyte activation and related cytokine secretion play key roles in secondary brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We assessed the role of aquaporin (AQP)2 in immune response after ICH. We prospectively collected data from 33 patients with ICH and analyzed the serum AQP2 levels in these patients and age-matched healthy controls. A correlation analysis was also performed between patient serum AQP2 levels and clinical factors. In the rat ICH model, double-fluorescence staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and AQP2 was performed to investigate the relationship between astrocytes and AQP2. Relative mRNA expression levels of GFAP and AQP2 were also measured. In the rat astrocyte cell line CTX-TNA2, toll-like receptor (TLR)4/nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)-p65 pathway activation and GFAP levels were measured. The indirect influence of AQP2 on microglial polarization was assessed following exposure to the medium of astrocytes treated with AQP2-overexpression plasmid or silencing RNA. We found that the serum AQP2 expression was lower in patients with ICH. Sex and blood neutrophil count influenced serum AQP2 concentrations in patients with ICH on admission. Lower serum AQP2 levels were inversely correlated with 90-day Modified Rankin Scale scores after ICH, but were not correlated with National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores on admission. AQP2 overexpression and localization in GFAP-labeled astrocytes were observed in rats. AQP2 overexpression induced astrocyte activation with GFAP upregulation via TLR/NFκB-p65 signaling pathway activation in the rat astrocyte cell line CTX-TNA2. Astrocyte activation promoted interleukin-1β secretion. The medium of AQP2-overexpression astrocytes promoted the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype in the immortal rat (HAPI) microglial cell line. Therefore, serum AQP2 is negatively correlated with post-ICH prognosis and may be a marker of inflammation in early-stage ICH. AQP2 overexpression promotes astrocyte activation and pro-inflammatory secretion, affects astrocyte-microglia crosstalk, and indirectly induces microglial polarization, which may augment inflammation after ICH.

Involvement of Inflammasome Components in Kidney Disease

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes with an important role in the innate immune response. Canonical activation of inflammasomes results in caspase-1 activation and maturation of cytokines interleukin-1β and -18. These cytokines can elicit their effects through receptor activation, both locally within a certain tissue and systemically. Animal models of kidney diseases have shown inflammasome involvement in inflammation, pyroptosis and fibrosis. In particular, the inflammasome component nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and related canonical mechanisms have been investigated. However, it has become increasingly clear that other inflammasome components are also of importance in kidney disease. Moreover, it is becoming obvious that the range of molecular interaction partners of inflammasome components in kidney diseases is wide. This review provides insights into these current areas of research, with special emphasis on the interaction of inflammasome components and redox signalling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and mitochondrial function. We present our findings separately for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. As we strictly divided the results into preclinical and clinical data, this review enables comparison of results from those complementary research specialities. However, it also reveals that knowledge gaps exist, especially in clinical acute kidney injury inflammasome research. Furthermore, patient comorbidities and treatments seem important drivers of inflammasome component alterations in human kidney disease.

miR-486-5p Serves as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Sepsis and Its Predictive Value for Clinical Outcomes

Background

As a molecular detection method, miRNA can quickly diagnose and prevent diseases, intervene in disease as early as possible, and reduce mortality. This study was to investigate the potential clinical diagnostic and predictive significance of miR-486-5p in sepsis and its correlation with inflammation and disease severity.

Methods

The serum miR-486-5p in 108 sepsis, 60 pneumonia-infected, and 101 healthy controls were detected by RT-qPCR. Spearman coefficient detects the correlation between serum miRNA and disease severity indicators (APACHE II, SOFA scores), and inflammation indicators (CRP, PCT), respectively. The diagnostic significance of miR-486-5p in sepsis was analyzed by the ROC curve. Kaplan–Meier estimator and Cox regression hazards analysis of the predictive significance of serum miR-486-5p in 28-day survival from sepsis.

Results

Serum miR-486-5p was increased in sepsis patients compared with healthy control and pneumonia-infected patients (P < 0.001). And increased serum miR-486-5p was positively associated with disease severity (SOFA score and APACHE II score) and inflammation (CRP and PCT). Serum miR-486-5p can not only identify sepsis patients from healthy controls (AUC = 0.914) but also significantly distinguish sepsis patients from pneumonia-infected patients (AUC = 0.814), showing good potential as a diagnostic biomarker for sepsis. In addition, serum miR-486-5p was an independent predictor of 28-day survival (log-rank P = 0.012), and patients with high levels of miR-486-5p had a poorer overall 28-day survival (HR = 3.057, 95% CI = 1.385–17.817, P = 0.014).

Conclusion

miR-486-5p is a potential diagnostic biomarker for sepsis, and its high level is significantly correlated with the disease severity and inflammation. In addition, miR-486-5p were predictive risk factors for 28-day survival in sepsis patients.