Overexpression of miR-101 May Target DUSP1 to Promote the Cartilage Degradation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Early growth response 1 regulates dual‑specificity protein phosphatase 1 and inhibits cell migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck, and among the OSCCs, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the most common types. Although therapy strategies have recently advanced, the prognosis of TSCC has not substantially improved. Metastasis is one of the main causes of patient mortality in TSCC; therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanism by which TSCC metastasis is regulated. In the present study, the early growth response 1 (Egr-1) expression in TSCC was analyzed based on GEO datasets and the effect of Egr-1 in TSCC tumor cell migration and invasion was measured using Transwell assay. By overexpressing dual-specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) in cells with Egr-1 knockdown using lentivirus infection, the role of DUSP1 in Egr-1-regulated TSCC cell migration and invasion was determined. By using luciferase and ChIP assays, the mechanism behind how DUSP1 is regulated by Egr-1 was detected. In the present study, it was demonstrated that Egr-1 was downregulated in TSCC and the knockdown of Egr-1 increased TSCC cell migration and invasion. The expression of Egr-1 was also correlated with DUSP1. The overexpression of DUSP1 in Egr-1 knockdown cells, reduced the level of cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that knockdown of Egr-1 inhibited the promoter activity of DUSP1 and the site through which Egr-1 regulates DUSP1 transcription was identified. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Egr-1 regulates TSCC cell migration and invasion through modulating DUSP1, suggesting the potential of Egr-1 and DUSP1 as therapy targets for TSCC.

Effect of miR-101 on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Goat Hair Follicle Stem Cells

The Yangtze River Delta white goat is a rare goat species capable of producing high-quality brush hair. Dual specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) may play a role in the formation of high-quality brush hair, as evidenced by our previous research. We investigated the potential mechanisms that regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of goat hair follicle stem cells. We particularly focused on the relationship between DUSP1 and miR-101, which directly targets DUSP1, predicted and screened through bioinformatics websites. Then, fluorescence assays, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were used to investigate the effects of miR-101 on the proliferation and apoptosis of hair follicle stem cells. We found that miR-101 overexpression significantly decreased (p < 0.01) apoptosis and promoted the proliferation of hair follicle stem cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-101 increased (p < 0.05) the mRNA and protein expression levels of the proliferation-related gene (PCNA) and anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2), and it decreased (p < 0.05) the mRNA and protein expression levels of the apoptotic gene (Bax). In conclusion, miR-101 can promote the proliferation of and inhibit the apoptosis of hair follicle stem cells by targeting DUSP1, which provides a theoretical basis for further elucidating the molecular mechanism that regulates the production of high-quality brush hair of Yangtze River Delta white goats.

A rare variant in EZH2 is associated with prostate cancer risk

Prostate cancer (PrCa) is highly heritable, and although rare variants contribute significantly to PrCa risk, few have been identified to date. Herein, whole-genome sequencing was performed in a large PrCa family featuring multiple affected relatives spanning several generations. A rare, predicted splice site EZH2 variant, rs78589034 (G > A), was identified as segregating with disease in all but two individuals in the family, one of whom was affected with lymphoma and bowel cancer and a female relative. This variant was significantly associated with disease risk in combined familial and sporadic PrCa datasets (n = 1551; odds ratio [OR] = 3.55, P = 1.20 × 10^-5 ). Transcriptome analysis was performed on prostate tumour needle biopsies available for two rare variant carriers and two wild-type cases. Although no allele-dependent differences were detected in EZH2 transcripts, a distinct differential gene expression signature was observed when comparing prostate tissue from the rare variant carriers with the wild-type samples. The gene expression signature comprised known downstream targets of EZH2 and included the top-ranked genes, DUSP1, FOS, JUNB and EGR1, which were subsequently validated by qPCR. These data provide evidence that rs78589034 is associated with increased PrCa risk in Tasmanian men and further, that this variant may be associated with perturbed EZH2 function in prostate tissue. Disrupted EZH2 function is a driver of tumourigenesis in several cancers, including prostate, and is of significant interest as a therapeutic target.

Screening and verification of hub genes involved in osteoarthritis using bioinformatics

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of disability and its development is associated with numerous factors. A major challenge in the treatment of OA is the lack of early diagnosis. In the present study, a bioinformatics method was employed to filter key genes that may be responsible for the pathogenesis of OA. From the Gene Expression Omnibus database, the datasets GSE55457, GSE12021 and GSE55325 were downloaded, which comprised 59 samples. Of these, 30 samples were from patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and 29 were normal. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by downloading and analyzing the original data using bioinformatics. The Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were analyzed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery online database. Protein-protein interaction network analysis was performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/proteins online database. BSCL2 lipid droplet biogenesis associated, seipin, FOS-like 2, activator protein-1 transcription factor subunit (FOSL2), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A) and kinectin 1 (KTN1) genes were identified as key genes by using Cytoscape software. Functional enrichment revealed that the DEGs were mainly accumulated in the ErbB, MAPK and PI3K-Akt pathways. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis confirmed a significant reduction in the expression levels of FOSL2, CDKN1A and KTN1 in OA samples. These genes have the potential to become novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for OA.

Upregulation of JHDM1D-AS1 alleviates neuroinflammation and neuronal injury via targeting miR-101-3p-DUSP1 in spinal cord after brachial plexus injury

BACKGROUND

Neuroinflammation in the spinal cord following acute brachial plexus injury (BPI) remains a vital cause that leads to motor dysfunction and neuropathic pain. In this study, we aim to explore the role of long non-coding RNA JHDM1D antisense 1 (JHDM1D-AS1) in mediating BPI-induced neuroinflammation and neuronal injury.

METHODS

A total brachial plexus root avulsion (tBPRA) model in adult rats and IL-1β-treated motor neuron-like NSC-34 cells and LPS-treated microglia cell line BV2 were conducted for in vivo and in vitro experiments, respectively. The expressions of JHDM1D-AS1, miR-101-3p and DUSP1, p38, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot seven days after tBPI. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect neuronal apoptosis. CCK8 assay, Tunel assay and LDH kit were used for the detection of neuronal injury. The targeted relationships between JHDM1D-AS1 and miR-101-3p, miR-101-3p and DUSP1 were verified by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

We found significant downregulated expression of JHDM1D-AS1 and DUSP1 but upregulated expression of miR-101-3p in the spinal cord after tBPI. Overexpression of JHDM1D-AS1 had a prominent neuroprotective effect by suppressing neuronal apoptosis and microglial inflammation through reactivation of DUSP1. Further exploration revealed that JHDM1D-AS1 may act as a competitive endogenous RNA targeting miR-101-3p, which bound on the 3'UTR of DUSP1 mRNA. In addition, overexpression of miR-101-3p could reverse the neuroprotective effects of JHDM1D-AS1 upregulation by blocking DUSP1.

CONCLUSIONS

JHDM1D-AS1 exerted neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of tBPI by regulating miR-101-3p/DUSP1 axis.