LncRNA ROR/miR-145-5p axis modulates the osteoblasts proliferation and apoptosis in osteoporosis

Apoptotic vesicles rescue impaired mesenchymal stem cells and their therapeutic capacity for osteoporosis by restoring miR-145a-5p deficiency

Apoptotic vesicles (apoVs) play a vital role in various physiological and pathological conditions. However, we have yet to fully understand their precise biological effects in rescuing impaired mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Here, we proved that systemic infusion of MSCs derived from wild-type (WT) mice rather than from ovariectomized (OVX) mice effectively improved the osteopenia phenotype and rescued the impaired recipient MSCs in osteoporotic mice. Meanwhile, apoVs derived from WT MSCs (WT apoVs) instead of OVX apoVs efficiently restored the impaired biological function of OVX MSCs and their ability to improve osteoporosis. Mechanistically, the reduced miR-145a-5p expression hindered the osteogenic differentiation and immunomodulatory capacity of OVX MSCs by affecting the TGF-β/Smad 2/3-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, resulting in the development of osteoporosis. WT apoVs directly transferred miR-145a-5p to OVX MSCs, which were then reused to restore their impaired biological functions. The differential expression of miR-145a-5p is responsible for the distinct efficacy between the two types of apoVs. Overall, our findings unveil the remarkable potential of apoVs, as a novel nongenetic engineering approach, in rescuing the biological function and therapeutic capability of MSCs derived from patients. This discovery offers a new avenue for exploring apoVs-based stem cell engineering and expands the application scope of stem cell therapy, contributing to the maintenance of bone homeostasis through a previously unrecognized mechanism.

Decreased BIRC5-206 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through sponging miR-145-5p

Metastasis significantly contributes to the poor prognosis of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Our prior studies have demonstrated a decrease in BIRC5-206 expression in NPC, which promotes disease progression. However, the role of BIRC5-206 in the invasion and metastasis of NPC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, our objective was to explore the biological function and underlying mechanisms of BIRC5-206 in NPC. Additionally, we established an NPC mouse model of lung invasiveness using C666 cells to assess the impact of BIRC5-206 on NPC metastasis. Our results revealed that silencing BIRC5-206 inhibited apoptosis and enhanced the invasion of NPC cells, whereas its overexpression reversed these effects. Moreover, decreased BIRC5-206 expression significantly increased N-cadherin and Vimentin expression while reducing E-cadherin and occludin levels, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, silencing BIRC5-206 markedly augmented the formation of invasive foci in lung tissues. Rescue experiments further confirmed that decreased BIRC5-206 expression facilitates NPC metastasis via modulation of the miR-145-5p/CD40 signaling pathway. In summary, our study suggests that BIRC5-206 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in the diagnosis and treatment of NPC.

Long Non-coding RNA SNHG1 Suppresses the Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Binding with HMGB1

Osteoporosis (OP) has a significant detrimental impact on the health of the elder. Long-term clinical effectiveness of current drugs used for OP treatment is limited. Therefore, it is very important to explore novel treatment targets for OP. The expression of SNHG1, HMGB1, OCN and OPN in gene level was measured using RT-qPCR, and the protein expression was determined by Western blotting assay. The concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 in supernatant of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was measured by ELISA. The interaction between SNHG1 and HMGB1 was confirmed by RNA pull down. Besides, alizarin red staining was performed to evaluate the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblast. SNHG1 and HMGB1 were found to be upregulated in the serum of OP patients. During the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, the expression of osteoblastogenesis markers (OCN and OPN) and the activity of ALP were upregulated, while the expression levels of SNHG1 and HMGB1 were decreased in a time-dependent manner. In addition, the interaction between SNHG1 and HMGB1, expression of pyroptosis-associated factors (caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD-N), and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 were also decreased during osteogenic differentiation. Interestingly, increasing SNHG1 promoted HMGB1 expression, activated pyroptosis, but inhibited osteogenic differentiation. Silencing HMGB1 or inhibiting caspase-1 partially rescued the inhibitory effect of SNHG1 on osteogenic differentiation. Our findings indicate that SNHG1 suppresses the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by activating pyroptosis through interaction with HMGB1 and promotion of HMGB1 expression. Our work provides further evidence supporting SNHG1 acts as a potential target for OP treatment, and reveals for the first time that SNHG1 regulates osteogenic differentiation by affecting pyroptosis.

The Cardiovascular Benefits of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists as Novel Diabetes Drugs Are Mediated via the Suppression of miR-203a-3p and miR-429 Expression

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with a high fatality rate and a heavy global health care burden. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) exerts positive cardiovascular effects, although the molecular mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to verify whether the cardioprotective effects of GLP-1 are mediated through the regulation of micro-RNA (miRNA) expression. Follow-up assessments were conducted for 116 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) alone (controls) and 123 patients with both T2DM and CAD. After matching, each group comprised 63 patients, and age, body mass index, and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) were compared. Subsequently, the expression profiles of four circulating miRNAs (miR-203a-3p, miR-429, miR-205-5p, and miR-203b-5p) were assessed via quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction in the 63 patients with diabetes and CAD between 6 months (baseline) and 12 months after the initiation of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) therapy. As expected, the metabolic factors were significantly improved after 6 months of treatment with GLP-1R compared with pre-treatment values, and the expression levels of two of the miRNAs (miR-203a-3p and miR-429) decreased from baseline levels in those with diabetes and CAD. The results suggest that the cardiovascular benefits induced by GLP-1R are mediated via suppressed expression of two miRNAs: miR-203a-3p and miR-429.

RUNX2 regulation in osteoblast differentiation: A possible therapeutic function of the lncRNA and miRNA-mediated network

Osteogenic differentiation is a crucial process in the formation of the skeleton and the remodeling of bones. It relies on a complex system of signaling pathways and transcription factors, including Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) control the bone-specific transcription factor RUNX2 through post-transcriptional mechanisms to regulate osteogenic differentiation. The most research has focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) in studying how they regulate RUNX2 for osteogenesis in both normal and pathological situations. This article provides a concise overview of the recent advancements in understanding the critical roles of lncRNA/miRNA/axes in controlling the expression of RUNX2 during bone formation. The possible application of miRNAs and lncRNAs as therapeutic agents for the treatment of disorders involving the bones and bones itself is also covered.

Apoptotic vesicles rescue impaired mesenchymal stem cells and their therapeutic capacity for osteoporosis by restoring miR-145a-5p deficiency

Apoptotic vesicles (apoVs) play a vital role in various pathological conditions; however, we have yet to fully understand their precise biological effects in rescuing impaired mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and regulating tissue homeostasis. Here, we proved that systemic infusion of bone marrow MSCs derived from wild-type (WT) mice effectively improved the osteopenia phenotype and hyperimmune state in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Importantly, the WT MSCs rescued the impairment of OVX MSCs both in vivo and in vitro, whereas OVX MSCs did not show the same efficacy. Interestingly, treatment with apoVs derived from WT MSCs (WT apoVs) restored the impaired biological function of OVX MSCs and their ability to improve osteoporosis. This effect was not observed with OVX MSCs-derived apoVs (OVX apoVs) treatment. Mechanistically, the reduced miR-145a-5p expression hindered the osteogenic differentiation and immunomodulatory capacity of OVX MSCs by affecting the TGF-β/Smad 2/3-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, resulting in the development of osteoporosis. WT apoVs directly transferred miR-145a-5p to OVX MSCs, which were then reused to restore their impaired biological functions. Conversely, treatment with OVX apoVs did not produce significant effects due to their limited expression of miR-145a-5p. Overall, our findings unveil the remarkable potential of apoVs in rescuing the biological function and therapeutic capability of MSCs derived from individuals with diseases. This discovery offers a new avenue for exploring apoVs-based MSC engineering and expands the application scope of stem cell therapy, contributing to the maintenance of bone homeostasis through a previously unrecognized mechanism.

Diabetes and diabetic associative diseases: An overview of epigenetic regulations of TUG1

The epigenetic regulation of lncRNA TUG1 has garnered significant attention in the context of diabetes and its associated disorders. TUG1's multifaceted roles in gene expression modulation, and cellular differentiation, and it plays a major role in the growth of diabetes and the issues that are related to it due to pathological processes. In diabetes, aberrant epigenetic modifications can lead to dysregulation of TUG1 expression, contributing to disrupted insulin signaling, impaired glucose metabolism, and beta-cell dysfunction. Moreover, it has been reported that TUG1 contributes to the development of problems linked to diabetes, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular complications, through epigenetically mediated mechanisms. Understanding the epigenetic regulations of TUG1 offers novel insights into the primary molecular mechanisms of diabetes and provides a possible path for healing interventions. Targeting epigenetic modifications associated with TUG1 holds promise for restoring proper gene expression patterns, ameliorating insulin sensitivity, and mitigating the inception and development of diabetic associative diseases. This review highlights the intricate epigenetic landscape that governs TUG1 expression in diabetes, encompassing DNA methylation and alterations in histone structure, as well as microRNA interactions.

Integration analysis of lncRNA and mRNA expression data identifies DOCK4 as a potential biomarker for elderly osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to identify some potential biomarkers for elderly osteoporosis (OP) by integral analysis of lncRNA and mRNA expression data.

METHODS

A total of 8 OP cases and 5 healthy participants were included in the study. Fasting peripheral venous blood samples were collected from individuals, and total RNA was extracted. RNA-seq library was prepared and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform. Differential gene expression analysis was performed using "DESeq2" package in R language. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted using the "clusterProfiler" package, and the cis- and trans-regulatory relationships between lncRNA and target mRNA were analyzed by the lncTar software. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, and hub genes were identified through the MCODE plugin in Cytoscape.

RESULTS

We identified 897 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and 1366 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and OP samples. After co-expression network analysis and cis-trans regulatory genes analysis, we identified 69 candidate genes regulated by lncRNAs. Then we further screened 7 genes after PPI analysis. The target gene DOCK4, trans-regulated by two lncRNAs, was found to be significantly upregulated in OP samples. Additionally, 4 miRNAs were identified as potential regulators of DOCK4. The potential diagnostic value of DOCK4 and its two trans-regulatory lncRNAs was supported by ROC analysis, indicating their potential as biomarkers for OP.

CONCLUSION

DOCK4 is a potential biomarker for elderly osteoporosis diagnostic. It is identified to be regulated by two lncRNAs and four miRNAs.

Long non-coding RNA KCNQ10T1/miR-19a-3p/SMAD5 axis promotes osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND

Bone fracture is a common orthopedic disease that needs over 3 months to recover. Promoting the osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is beneficial for fracture healing. Therefore, this research aimed to study the roles of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ10T1 in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

METHODS

BMSCs were treated with osteogenic medium and assessed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining (ARS), as well as concentration of osteoblast markers were measured to evaluate osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Western blot was employed to detect proteins; while, qRT-PCR was for mRNA levels. Additionally, targeted relationships between KCNQ10T1 and miR-19a-3p, as well as miR-19a-3p and SMAD5 were verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay along with RNA pull-down method.

RESULTS

Upregulation of KCNQ10T1 promoted the ALP staining and ARS intensity, increased the cell viability and decreased the apoptosis rate of BMSCs. Besides, KCNQ10T1 overexpression increased the ALP, OPG, OCN and OPN protein levels. KCNQ10T1 sponges miR-19a-3p, which targets Smad5. Upregulated miR-19a-3p reversed the overexpressed KCNQ10T1-induced effects, and depletion of SMAD5 reversed the miR-19a-3p inhibitor-induced effects on osteogenic medium-treated BMSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulation of KCNQ10T1 promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through miR-19a-3p/SMAD5 axis in bone fracture.

Common miRNAs of Osteoporosis and Fibromyalgia: A Review

A significant clinical association between osteoporosis (OP) and fibromyalgia (FM) has been shown in the literature. Given the need for specific biomarkers to improve OP and FM management, common miRNAs might provide promising tracks for future prevention and treatment. The aim of this review is to identify miRNAs described in OP and FM, and dysregulated in the same direction in both pathologies. The PubMed database was searched until June 2023, with a clear mention of OP, FM, and miRNA expression. Clinical trials, case-control, and cross-sectional studies were included. Gray literature was not searched. Out of the 184 miRNAs found in our research, 23 are shared by OP and FM: 7 common miRNAs are dysregulated in the same direction for both pathologies (3 up-, 4 downregulated). The majority of these common miRNAs are involved in the Wnt pathway and the cholinergic system and a possible link has been highlighted. Further studies are needed to explore this relationship. Moreover, the harmonization of technical methods is necessary to confirm miRNAs shared between OP and FM.

New insights into the role of long non-coding RNAs in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common disease in elderly individuals, and osteoporosis can easily lead to bone and hip fractures that seriously endanger the health of elderly individuals. At present, the treatment of osteoporosis is mainly anti-osteoporosis drugs, but there are side effects associated with anti-osteoporosis drugs. Therefore, it is very important to develop early diagnostic indicators and new therapeutic drugs for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), noncoding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides, can be used as diagnostic markers for osteoporosis, and lncRNAs play an important role in the progression of osteoporosis. Many studies have shown that lncRNAs can be the target of osteoporosis. Therefore, herein, the role of lncRNAs in osteoporosis is summarized, aiming to provide some information for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Sharing Circulating Micro-RNAs between Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review

Background: Osteosarcopenia, a combination of osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia, is a common condition among older adults. While numerous studies and meta-analyses have been conducted on osteoporosis biomarkers, biomarker utility in osteosarcopenia still lacks evidence. Here, we carried out a systematic review to explore and analyze the potential clinical of circulating microRNAs (miRs) shared between osteoporosis/osteopenia and sarcopenia. Methods: We performed a systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase for differentially expressed miRs (p-value < 0.05) in (i) osteoporosis and (ii) sarcopenia. Following screening for title and abstract and deduplication, 83 studies on osteoporosis and 11 on sarcopenia were identified for full-text screening. Full-text screening identified 54 studies on osteoporosis, 4 on sarcopenia, and 1 on both osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Results: A total of 69 miRs were identified for osteoporosis and 14 for sarcopenia. There were 9 shared miRs, with evidence of dysregulation (up- or down-regulation), in both osteoporosis and sarcopenia: miR-23a-3p, miR-29a, miR-93, miR-133a and b, miR-155, miR-206, miR-208, miR-222, and miR-328, with functions and targets implicated in the pathogenesis of osteosarcopenia. However, there was little agreement in the results across studies and insufficient data for miRs in sarcopenia, and only three miRs, miR-155, miR-206, and miR-328, showed the same direction of dysregulation (down-regulation) in both osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Additionally, for most identified miRs there has been no replication by more than one study, and this is particularly true for all miRs analyzed in sarcopenia. The study quality was typically rated intermediate/high risk of bias. The large heterogeneity of the studies made it impossible to perform a meta-analysis. Conclusions: The findings of this review are particularly novel, as miRs have not yet been explored in the context of osteosarcopenia. The dysregulation of miRs identified in this review may provide important clues to better understand the pathogenesis of osteosarcopenia, while also laying the foundations for further studies to lead to effective screening, monitoring, or treatment strategies.

A novel biologically hierarchical hydrogel with osteoblast precursor-targeting extracellular vesicles ameliorates bone loss in vivo via the sequential action of antagomiR-200b-3p and antagomiR-130b-3p

Osteoporotic fracture is a major health problem plaguing the ageing society, and improving its treatment is an urgent challenge. How to ameliorate bone loss determines the recovery of such fractures. Extracellular vesicle (EV)-loaded hydrogel has the capacity to treat osteoporotic fractures due to its pro-osteogenic property. And balancing proliferation and maturation of osteoblast precursors (OBPs) is of great significance to avoid OBP depletion, which is lacking in current treatment. Based on osteoblastogenic miRNAs, this study aimed to explore the efficacies of the combination of hierarchical hydrogel and EVs altering functional miRNAs level in bone loss. Through bioinformatics analyses, we screened out proliferative gene-targeting miR-200b-3p and osteogenic gene-targeting miR-130b-3p. And antagomiR-200b-3p (ant-200b) enhanced OBP proliferation, and antagomiR-130b-3p (ant-130b) promoted OBP differentiation. After confirming the directional effect of Fibronectin (Fn1) on OBPs, we prepared OBP-targeting EVs. Furthermore, encapsulation of two antagomiRNAs in EVs enhanced the respective effect of ant-200b and ant-130b. Notably, hierarchically injectable hydrogel exerted an effective function in promoting the sequential delivery of EVs-200b and EVs-130b. Importantly, hierarchical hydrogel containing dual EVs effectively ameliorated bone loss. Overall, hierarchical hydrogel based on two antagomiRNAs effectively improves bone loss in vivo due to its role in promoting OBP proliferation and maturation sequentially.

Long non-coding RNA KCNQ1OT1 alleviates postmenopausal osteoporosis by modulating miR-421-3p/mTOR axis

The prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a significant public health issue, and non-coding RNAs are of vital importance in this process. In this study, we find that the long non-coding RNA potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 overlapping transcript 1 (lncRNA KCNQ1OT1) can alleviate the ovariectomy-induced (OVX) PMOP in vivo. We determined that over-expression of KCNQ1OT1 could enhance functions of MC3T3-E1 cells, whereas an opposite trend was observed when KCNQ1OT1 was knocked down. Subsequently, miR-421-3p targeting KCNQ1OT1 was detected through a database search, and RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization, RNA immunoprecipitation, dual luciferase reporter assays all verified this relationship. Notably, KCNQ1OT1 stifled the miR-421-3p expression. The inhibition of proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation caused by KCNQ1OT1 knock-down were reversed by an miR-421-3p inhibitor, further confirming the above findings. We verified that miR-421-3p specifically targeted the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and miR-421-3p inhibitor could reverse the negative effects of small interfering RNA of mTOR (si-mTOR) on MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, osteoblasts isolated and cultured from OVX mice model and control mice also confirmed the observed trend. In combination, results mentioned above reveal that KCNQ1OT1 regulates MC3T3-E1 cell functions by regulating the miR-421-3p/mTOR axis.

Functional Relevance of the Long Intergenic Non-Coding RNA Regulator of Reprogramming (Linc-ROR) in Cancer Proliferation, Metastasis, and Drug Resistance

Cancer is responsible for more than 10 million deaths every year. Metastasis and drug resistance lead to a poor survival rate and are a major therapeutic challenge. Substantial evidence demonstrates that an increasing number of long non-coding RNAs are dysregulated in cancer, including the long intergenic non-coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (linc-ROR), which mostly exerts its role as an onco-lncRNA acting as a competing endogenous RNA that sequesters micro RNAs. Although the properties of linc-ROR in relation to some cancers have been reviewed in the past, active research appends evidence constantly to a better comprehension of the role of linc-ROR in different stages of cancer. Moreover, the molecular details and some recent papers have been omitted or partially reported, thus the importance of this review aimed to contribute to the up-to-date understanding of linc-ROR and its implication in cancer tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. As the involvement of linc-ROR in cancer is elucidated, an improvement in diagnostic and prognostic tools could promote and advance in targeted and specific therapies in precision oncology.

Risk factors associated with low bone mineral density in children with idiopathic scoliosis: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) have a high risk of osteoporosis and IS with low bone mineral density (BMD) are susceptible to curve progression. This review aims to explore the risk factors of low BMD in children with IS.

METHODS

Studies were retrieved from 5 databases that were published up to January 2022. Search terms are keywords in titles or abstracts, including subject headings related to "Scoliosis", "Bone Mineral Density", and "Risk Factors". Observational studies on risk factors of low BMD in children with IS were enrolled in this review. The number of studies, sample size, outcome measures, research type, endocrine, and lifestyle-related factors, gene/signal pathway, and other contents were extracted for qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 56 studies were included in this scoping review. Thirty studies involved genetic factors that may affect BMD, including the Vitamin-D receptor gene, RANK/RANKL signal pathway, the function of mesenchymal stem cells, Runx2, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and miR-145/β-catenin pathway. Eight studies mentioned the influence of endocrine factors on BMD, and the results showed that serum levels of IL-6, leptin and its metabolites, and ghrelin in children with IS were different from the age-matched controls. In addition, there were 18 articles on lifestyle-related factors related to low BMD in children with IS, consisting of physical activity, calcium intake, Vitamin D level, and body composition.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic, endocrine, and lifestyle-related factors might relate to low BMD and even osteoporosis in IS. To prevent osteoporosis, the effectiveness of regular screening for low BMD risk factors in children with IS needs to be investigated. Additionally, clear risk factors suggest strategies for bone intervention. Future studies should consider the effectiveness of calcium and vitamin D supplements and physical activity in BMD improvement.

Implication of non-coding RNA-mediated ROCK1 regulation in various diseases

Rho Associated Coiled-Coil Containing Protein Kinase 1 (ROCK1) is a protein serine/threonine kinase which is activated upon binding with the GTP-bound form of Rho. This protein can modulate actin-myosin contraction and stability. Moreover, it has a crucial role in the regulation of cell polarity. Therefore, it participates in modulation of cell morphology, regulation of expression of genes, cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptotic processes as well as oncogenic processes. Recent studies have highlighted interactions between ROCK1 and several non-coding RNAs, namely microRNAs, circular RNAs and long non-coding RNAs. Such interactions can be a target of medications. In fact, it seems that the interactions are implicated in therapeutic response to several medications. In the current review, we aimed to explain the impact of these interactions in the pathoetiology of cancers as well as non-malignant disorders.

STAT3-mediated osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disease with marked bone loss, deterioration of the bone microstructure and bone fragility. An abnormal bone remodelling cycle with relatively increased bone resorption is the crucial pathophysiological mechanism. Bone remodelling is predominantly controlled by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are specialized cell types that are regulated by a variety of osteogenic and osteoclastic factors, including cytokines expressed within the bone microenvironment under local or systemic inflammatory conditions. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a prominent role in the communication between cytokines and kinases by binding downstream gene promotors and is involved in a wide range of biological or pathological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that STAT3 and its network participate in bone remodelling and the development of osteoporosis, and this factor may be a potent target for osteoporosis treatment. This review focuses on the role and molecular mechanism of the STAT3 signalling pathway in osteogenesis, osteoclastogenesis and osteoporosis, particularly the bone-related cytokines that regulate the osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and the osteoclastic differentiation of bone marrow macrophages by initiating STAT3 signalling. This review also examines the cellular interactions among immune cells, haematopoietic cells and osteoblastic/osteoclastic cells.

LncRNA MALAT1 promotes tenogenic differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells via regulating the miR-378a-3p/MAPK1 axis

Tendinopathy is a type of chronic injury caused by repeated pulling. Previous studies have reported that long non-coding RNA MALAT1 (MALAT1) regulates a variety of genes affecting bone metabolism. This study aimed to explore the role of the MALAT1 in tendon injury in vivo and in vitro. Human tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) were treated with TGF β1. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish the tendinopathy animal model. Sirius Red staining and colorimetric assays were conducted to analyze the collagen content. RT-qPCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels. Western blotting was performed to measure the MAPK1 protein levels. Additionally, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze the cell number and the content of collagen type 1 and Thbs, respectively. MALAT1 expression was upregulated in TGF β1 treated TDSCs, and MALAT1 knockdown downregulated Scleraxis, Mohawk homeobox, Collagen 1A1, Fibromodulin, Matrix metallopeptidase 3, and Thrombospondin 4 in TGF β1 treated TDSCs. Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-378a-3p was the target of MALAT1 and MAPK1, and dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that both MALAT1 and MAPK1 could bind to miR-378a-3p. Furthermore, miR-378a-3p knockdown reversed the effect of si-MALAT1, whereas overexpression of MAPK1 reversed the effect of the miR-378a-3p mimic. Finally, MALAT1 expression was downregulated in tendinopathy rats, and MALAT1 overexpression healed tendon injury in them. MALAT1 regulated the tenogenic differentiation of TDSCs by regulating the miR-378a-3p/MAPK1 axis. Our results therefore indicate that targeting the MALAT1/miR-378a-3p/MAPK1 axis may be a promising avenue for the treatment of tendinopathy.

CircMCTP2 (has-circ-0000658) facilitates the proliferation and metastasis of bladder carcinoma through modulating the miR-498/murine double minute-2 axis

CircMCTP2 is a novel circRNA, which is associated with various kinds of malignant tumors progression, such as gastric cancer. However, the function of circMCTP2 in bladder carcinoma (BC) has no idea. The purpose of this study was tantamount to functionally dissect circMCTP2 in the progression of BC. In our study, circMCTP2 expression was strongly increased in BC tissues and cell lines. High expression of circMCTP2 predicted a poor prognosis of BC patients. CircMCTP2 deficiency impaired the cell growth, migration as well as invasive ability of BC cell lines (J82 and T24). In vivo, circMCTP2 deficiency cut the tumor growth rates and the tumor weight. In BC cells, circMCTP2 deficiency enhanced the translation of E-cadherin, while diminishing the translation of N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail. Moreover, circMCTP2 acted as a sponge of miR-498 to regulate murine double minute-2 (MDM2) expression. In BC tissues, a negative correlation was observed between the expression levels of circMCTP2 and miR-498. Additionally, either miR-498 silencing or MDM2 over-expression augmented the carcinogenic action of circMCTP2 on BC. In conclusion, our study showed that circMCTP2 regulates the expression of MDM2 by sponging miR-498 to promote the development of BC. These findings offer a new strategy for early diagnosis of BC and its therapeutics.

Curcumin relieved the rheumatoid arthritis progression via modulating the linc00052/miR-126-5p/PIAS2 axis

Curcumin, with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties, is widely used in the treatment of bone disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the effects of curcumin on fibroblast-like synoviocytes in RA and its underlying mechanism. mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression levels were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cellular functions were detected using cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, Transwell, and flow cytometric assays. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the cytokine release. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression levels. An in vivo assay was performed to verify the role of linc00052 in RA. Curcumin promoted apoptosis and inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of RA fibroblast-like synovial (RAFLS) cells. Curcumin treatment suppressed the inflammatory response of RAFLS cells. Moreover, curcumin increased linc00052 levels, and linc00052 knockdown reversed the effects of curcumin. Additionally, linc00052 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to upregulate the expression of the protein inhibitor of activated STAT 2 (PIAS2) by sponging miR-126-5p. Curcumin inhibited the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. In vivo assays showed that curcumin decreased the arthritis score and improved inflammatory infiltration and synovial cell proliferation. These results reveal that curcumin protects against RA by regulating the inc00052/miR-126-5p/PIAS2 axis through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

lncRNA LINC01315 promotes malignancy of triple-negative breast cancer and predicts poor outcomes by modulating microRNA-876-5p/GRK5

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a malignant tumor that threatens women’s health. Exploring novel development-associated biomarkers could help improve the survival rate of TNBC. This study evaluated the significance and mechanism of LINC01315 in TNBC progression aiming to identify a potential biomarker. There were 103 TNBC patients that provided clinical tissues in this study. The expression of LINC01315 was assessed by PCR and its association with clinical data was evaluated by statistical analyses. The in vitro cell experiments were conducted to estimate the biological effect of LINC01315 and its molecular mechanism. A significant upregulation of LINC01315 was observed in TNBC, which was associated with disease development and severity of patients. The upregulation of LINC01315 could be a symptom of the poor prognosis of patients. The knockdown of LINC01315 suppressed the main cellular processes of TNBC progression. Additionally, miR-876-5p was demonstrated to be a target of LINC01315 and regulate the expression of GRK5, through which LINC01315 modulated the progression of TNBC. Upregulated LINC01315 in TNBC indicated the malignant development and poor survival rate of patients. Inhibition of LINC01315 might be a potential therapeutic strategy of TNBC.

Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced inhibition of osteoblastic differentiation by up-regulating lncRNA TUG1 in osteoporosis

Promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation contributes to the prevention and clinical treatment of osteoporosis. This study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-caused inhibition of osteoblastic differentiation. First, we cultured mouse embryo osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1) and induced by TNF-α (0, 2.5, 5, 10 ng/mL). The results revealed that TNF-α significantly inhibited the proliferation, ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation of MC3T3-E1 cells and promoted apoptosis. However, EGCG pretreatment significantly alleviated the inhibitory effect of TNF-α on MC3T3-E1. In addition, TNF-α significantly downregulated the expression of lncRNA TUG1 in MC3T3-E1, while EGCG upregulated the expression of lncRNA TUG1. After overexpression of lncRNA TUG1 in TNF-α-induced MC3T3-E1 cells, it could show similar effects as EGCG. However, interference with lncRNA TUG1 expression diminished the protective effect of EGCG on TNF-α-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, we found that EGCG inhibited TNF-α-induced activation of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway, and that low expression of lncRNA TUG1 suppressed this effect. In conclusion, EGCG could suppress Hippo/YAP pathway activity by up-regulating lncRNA TUG1, ultimately improving TNF-α-caused inhibition of osteoblastic differentiation.

Overexpression of microRNA-381-3p ameliorates hypoxia/ischemia-induced neuronal damage and microglial inflammation via regulating the C-C chemokine receptor type 2 /nuclear transcription factor-kappa B axis

microRNAs, as small endogenous RNAs, influence umpteen sophisticated cellular biological functions regarding neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases. Here, we interrogated miR-381-3p’s influence on BV2 activation and neurotoxicity in ischemic and hypoxic environment. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was adopted to induce microglial activation and HT-22 neuron damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was taken to check miR-381-3p expression in OGD-elicited BV2 cells and HT-22 neurons. It transpired that miR-381-3p expression was lowered in BV2 cells and HT-22 cells elicited by OGD. miR-381-3p up-regulation remarkably hampered inflammatory mediator expression in BV2 cells induced by OGD and weakened HT22 neuron apoptosis. In vivo, miR-381-3p expression was abated in HI rats’ ischemic lesions, and miR-381-3p up-regulation could ameliorate inflammation and neuron apoptosis in their brain. C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) was identified as the downstream target of miR-381-3p, and miR-381-3p suppressed the CCR2/NF-κB pathway to mitigate microglial activation and neurotoxicity. Therefore, we believed that miR-381-3p overexpression exerts anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis in ischemic brain injury by targeting CCR2

Effects of urolithin A on osteoclast differentiation induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand via bone morphogenic protein 2

Urolithin A (UA) is an intestinal microbial metabolite derived from ellagitannins and a promising agent for treating osteoarthritis. However, its effects on osteoporosis are unclear. This study explored the effects of urolithin A (UA) on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclasts and its underlying molecular mechanisms. RANKL treatment significantly increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) or osteoclast marker levels (P < 0.05), while adding UA decreased the RANKL-induced levels (P < 0.05) in RAW264.7 cells. Total RNA isolated from RANKL- or RANKL + UA-treated cells was sequenced, and the obtained transcriptome dataset revealed 2,399 differentially expressed genes. They were enriched in multiple pathways involved in rheumatoid arthritis, ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, regulation of inflammatory response, ECM-receptor interactions, and TNF signaling. Scanning electron microscopy showed that RANKL promoted bone resorption pits in bone biopsy specimens, whereas UA inhibited their formation. When bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) was shRNA-silenced, the bone resorption pits were restored. Moreover, while RANKL significantly enhanced the levels of p-ERK2/ERK2, p-p38/p38, p-Akt1/Akt1, p-ERK1/ERK1, and osteoclast-related proteins (P < 0.05), UA reduced them. BMP2 silencing also reversed the UA inhibitory effect. Thus, UA represses the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells by regulating Akt1, p38, and ERK1/2 signaling, and BMP2 likely reverses the UA inhibitory effect via these pathways. We propose BMP2 as a potential drug target for treating bone metabolic diseases, such as osteoporosis.

Long non-coding RNA p53 upregulated regulator of p53 levels (PURPL) promotes the development of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC), one of the most prevalent malignancies across the world, has an increasing incidence rate. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PURPL (also referred to as LINC01021) has been demonstrated to influence malignant GC behaviors and partake in other cancers. Notwithstanding, reports pertaining to the underlying mechanism of PURPL in GC haven’t been rarely seen. Presently, in-vivo and ex-vivo experiments were implemented to examine the PURPL-miR-137-ZBTB7A-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB regulatory axis in GC. Our statistics revealed that PURPL presented a high expression in GC tissues and cell lines. PURPL overexpression remarkably exacerbated colony formation, migration, and invasion and repressed apoptosis in GC cells (AGS and MNK-45). In-vivo experiments also corroborated that cell growth was boosted by PURPL up-regulation. Mechanistic investigations verified that PURPL interacted with miR-137 and lowered its profile in GC cell lines. miR-137 overexpression or ZBTB7A knockdown upended the oncogenic function mediated by PURPL. PURPL initiated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. PI3K and NF-κB inhibition impaired the promoting impact on GC cells elicited by PURPL overexpression and contributed to PURPL down-regulation. These findings disclosed that PURPL serves as an oncogene in the context of GC via miR-137-ZBTB7A-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB axis modulation.

MicroRNA miR-18a-3p promotes osteoporosis and possibly contributes to spinal fracture by inhibiting the glutamate AMPA receptor subunit 1 gene (GRIA1)

The promoting role that miR-18a-3p plays in osteoporosis (OP) has been previously described. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Bone tissues were collected from healthy patients, OP patients, and patients with osteoporotic spinal fractures. An osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) was constructed to detect the expression of miR-18a-3p and glutamate AMPA receptor subunit 1 (GRIA1). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and a qRT-PCR analysis were used to detect ALP content, alizarin red S staining was used to detect calcium deposition, and qRT-PCR was used to evaluate runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN) expression levels. A dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assay was used to verify the targeted correlation between miR-18a-3p and GRIA1. We observed an increase in miR-18a-3p expression and a decrease in GRIA1 expression in OP and osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients. Upregulation of miR-18a-3p restrained the activity and expression of ALP in hBMSCs, inhibited the expression of RUNX2, OCN, and OPN, and inhibited calcium deposition. Knockdown of miR-18a-3p or upregulation of GRIA1 promoted osteogenic differentiation. Our findings indicate that miR-18a-3p promotes OP progression by regulating GRIA1 expression, suggesting that targeting miR-18a-3p/GRIA1 may be a therapeutic strategy for OP.

Specificity protein 1/microRNA-92b forms a feedback loop promoting the migration and invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

In this study we report a novel specificity protein 1 (SP1)/microRNA-92b (miR-92b) feedback loop regulating the migration and invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Microarray and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were used to detect gene expression in HNSCC tissues and cell lines. Transwell migration, invasion, wound healing and cell counting kit - 8 (CCK-8) cell assays were used to compare cell migration, invasion and proliferation abilities. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to detect SP1 binding to the miR-92b promoter. Western blot was used to detect protein levels. An in vivo tumorigenesis experiment was used to evaluate the effect of SP1 knockdown on tumor growth and protein levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We found that the miR-92b expression level was elevated in HNSCC primary focus tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue, and a higher level of miR-92b was related to a higher clinical stage and worse prognosis of HNSCC patients. MiR-92b and SP1 mutually promoted each expression and cooperatively facilitated the migration, invasion and proliferation of HNSCC cells. A decreased level of SP1/miR-92b resulted in a restraint of in vivo tumor growth. In conclusion, our results suggest that the SP1/miR-92b feedback loop generally promotes HNSCC invasion and metastasis, thus presenting a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of HNSCC patients.

The effects of Omarigliptin on promoting osteoblastic differentiation

Osteoporosis significantly impacts the normal life of the elderly and is reported to be closely related to dysfunction of osteoblastic differentiation. Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) is a critical transcriptional factor involved in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation. Omarigliptin is a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DDP-4) inhibitor and this study proposes to probe into its possible therapeutic function against Osteoporosis by investigating its impacts on osteoblastic differentiation. Osteogenic medium was used to induce osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3‑E1 cells, and was verified by the increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, enhanced mineralization, and promoted expression level of osteoblastic differentiation-related factors, including bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), ALP, osteocalcin (Ocn), collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1), Collagen Type I alpha 2 (Col1a2), Runx2, osterix (Sp7), fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2), and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (Fgfr3), accompanied by the activation of the p38 and Akt pathways. After treatment with Omarigliptin, the ALP activity and mineralization were further promoted, accompanied by the further upregulation of osteoblastic differentiation-related factors, and activation of the p38 and Akt pathways. Lastly, Omarigliptin-induced osteoblastic differentiation, promoted ALP activity, and increased expression levels of Sp7, Fgfr2, Fgfr3, BMP-2, Ocn, ALP, Col1a1, and Col1a2, in the osteogenic medium- cultured MC3T3‑E1 cells were dramatically abolished by the knockdown of Runx2. Taken together, our data reveal that Omarigliptin promoted osteoblastic differentiation by regulating Runx2.