miR-130a-3p, a Preclinical Therapeutic Target for Crohn's Disease

MicroRNA-130a-3p impedes the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma through downregulation of KPNB1 by targeting PSME3

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the main type of thyroid cancer (THCA). Despite the good prognosis, some PTC patients may deteriorate into more aggressive disease, leading to poor survival. Our study aimed to explore the role of microRNA (miR)-130a-3p in regulating PTC.

METHODS

After transfection with miR-130a-3p-mimic, OE-PSME3, or miR-130a-3p-mimic + OE-KPNB1 in PTC cells (TPC-1), CCK-8, Transwell, scratch, and flow cytometry experiments were performed to analyze TPC-1 cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect proliferation or invasion-related protein markers (PCNA, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin). The RNA22 database, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and RNA pull-down assay were applied for the prediction and verification of the binding site between miR-130a-3p and PSME3. Pan-cancer software identified a positive correlation between PSME3 and KPNB1 in THCA. Co-immunoprecipitation was utilized to verify the interaction of PSME3 with KPNB1. Nude mice were transplanted with TPC-1 cells overexpressing miR-130a-3p. The tumors were isolated for detection of the expression of miR-130a-3p, PSME3, KPNB1, Ki-67, and CD31.

RESULTS

miR-130a-3p was lowly expressed in PTC cell lines. Upregulation of miR-130a-3p repressed the expression of PSME3 and KPNB1 and reduced the malignancy of TPC-1 cells in vitro, shown by inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and the expression of PCNA and N-cadherin. Also, overexpressed miR-130a-3p inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. miR-130a-3p bound to PSME3 which interacted with KPNB1.

CONCLUSION

miR-130a-3p impedes the progression of PTC by downregulating PSME3/KPNB1.

NEAT1 Regulates Calcium Oxalate Crystal-Induced Renal Tubular Oxidative Injury via miR-130/IRF1

Aims: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal deposition induces damage to the renal tubular epithelium, increases epithelial adhesion, and contributes to CaOx nephrocalcinosis. The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) is thought to be involved in this process. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism by which NEAT1 regulates renal tubular epithelium in response to inflammatory and oxidative injury triggered by CaOx crystals. Results: As CaOx crystals were deposited in mouse kidney tissue, the expression of NEAT1 was significantly elevated and positively correlated with interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and NF-κB. NEAT1 targets and inhibits miR-130a-3p as a competitor to endogenous RNA. miR-130 binds to and exerts inhibitory effects on the 3'-untranslated region of IRF1. After transfected with silence-NEAT1, IRF1, TLR4, and NF-κB were also variously inhibited, and oxidative damage in renal calcinosis was subsequently attenuated. When we simultaneously inhibited NEAT1 and miR-130, renal tubular injury was exacerbated. Innovation and Conclusion: We found that the lncRNA NEAT1 can enhance IRF1 signaling through targeted repression of miR-130a-3p and activate TLR4/NF-κB pathways to promote oxidative damage during CaOx crystal deposition. This provides an explanation for the tubular epithelial damage caused by CaOx crystals and offers new ideas and drug targets for the prevention and treatment of CaOx nephrocalcinosis.

LncRNA HAGLR silencing inhibits IL-1β-induced chondrocytes inflammatory injury via miR-130a-3p/JAK1 axis

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is accompanied by destruction of articular cartilage, development of osteophyte and sclerosis of subchondral bone. This study aims to explore whether lncRNA HAGLR can play a role in OA, and further clarify the potential mechanism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

StarBase and luciferase reporter assay were applied for predicting and confirming the interaction between lncRNA HAGLR, miR-130a-3p and JAK1. The levels of lncRNA HAGLR and miR-130a-3p were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The proliferation, cytotoxicity and apoptosis of CHON-001 cells were evaluated by MTT, lactate dehydrogenase assay (LDH) and Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis, respectively. Moreover, expression of cleaved Caspase3 protein were determined by Western blot assay. The release of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-6) was detected by ELISA.

RESULTS

lncRNA HAGLR directly targets miR-130a-3p. Level of lncRNA HAGLR was substantially higher and miR-130a-3p level was memorably lower in IL-1β stimulated CHON-001 cells than that in Control group. Furthermore, lncRNA HAGLR silencing alleviated IL-1β induce chondrocyte inflammatory injury, as evidenced by increased cell viability, reduced LDH release, decreased apoptotic cells, inhibited cleaved-Caspase3 expression, and reduced secretion of secretion of inflammatory factors. However, miR-130a-3p-inhibitor reversed these findings. We also found miR-130a-3p directly targeted JAK1 and negatively regulated JAK1 expression in CHON-001 cells. In addition, JAK1-plasmid reversed the effects of miR-130a-3p mimic on IL-1β-induced chondrocytes inflammatory injury.

CONCLUSION

Silencing of lncRNA HAGLR alleviated IL-1β-stimulated CHON-001 cells injury through miR-130a-3p/JAK1 axis, revealing lncRNA HAGLR may be a valuable therapeutic target for OA therapy.

miRNA effects on gut homeostasis: therapeutic implications for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) spans a range of chronic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which are marked by intermittent flare-ups and remissions. IBD results from microbial dysbiosis or a defective mucosal barrier in the gut that triggers an inappropriate immune response in a genetically susceptible person, altering the immune-microbiome axis. In this review, we discuss the regulatory roles of miRNAs, small noncoding RNAs with gene regulatory functions, in the stability and maintenance of the gut immune-microbiome axis, and detail the challenges and recent advances in the use of miRNAs as putative therapeutic agents for treating IBD.

circSMAD4 promotes experimental colitis and impairs intestinal barrier functions by targeting JAK2 through sponging miR-135a-5p

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have explored the association between circular RNAs (circRNAs) and Crohn's disease (CD). However, the pathological role, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms of circRNAs in CD have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

The circRNA microarray analysis was performed to identify deregulated circRNAs in colon tissues. The identified circRNA were verified through quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In vivo and in vitro functional studies were performed to verify the role of circSMAD4 in CD and investigate the mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

We found that circSMAD4 was the most significantly upregulated circRNA. The expression level of circSMAD4 was positively correlated with levels of inflammatory factors. Overexpression of circSMAD4 impaired tight junction (TJ) proteins and enhanced apoptosis of epithelial cells. These effects were reversed by treatment with miR-135a-5p mimic. Mechanistic studies showed that circSMAD4 exerts its effects on CD by "sponging" miR-135a-5p to regulate Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). Si-circSMAD4 delivery through microspheres ameliorated experimental colitis and protected the intestinal barrier function in IL-10 knock-out mice.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that circSMAD4 regulates the progression of experimental colitis via the miR-135a-5p/JAK2 signaling axis and it may be a potential therapeutic target.

PLGA microspheres carrying miR-20a-5p improved intestinal epithelial barrier function in patients with Crohn's disease through STAT3-mediated inhibition of Th17 differentiation

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are aberrantly expressed in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). This suggests that the aberrant expression of miRNAs may contribute to the development of CD. Currently, the specific miRNAs involved in CD development have not been clearly identified. Therefore, we aimed to identify CD-associated miRNAs and explore their functions.

METHODS

miRNA microarray analysis was performed to screen for differentially expressed miRNAs in colon tissues from normal controls (NC) and CD patients. The identified miRNAs were validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The therapeutic roles of miR-20a-5p mimics via the delivery of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres (PLGA MSs) were further investigated in IL-10^-/- mice with spontaneous chronic colitis that were used as a model of CD. The target genes of miR-20a-5p and the associated signaling pathways were identified through bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification of the interactions between the targets predicted by the algorithms and dysregulated mRNAs.

RESULTS

The analysis showed that miR-20a-5p was the most significantly downregulated miRNA in patients with CD. Treatment with PLGA MSs carrying miR-20a-5p significantly ameliorated the colitis, decreased mucosal inflammation, and improved epithelial barrier function. Bioinformatic analysis and experimental studies showed that miR-20a-5p inhibition enhanced Th17 differentiation and improved intestinal epithelial barrier function by targeting STAT3.

CONCLUSIONS

Downregulation of miR-20a-5p improved the intestinal epithelial barrier function and prevented CD development through the STAT3/IL-17 signaling pathway. Therefore, the delivery of miR-20a-5p by PLGA MSs may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for CD treatment.

MicroRNA-130a attenuates cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction through TGF-β/Smad signaling by directly targeting TGF-β receptor 1

Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathophysiological change associated with myocardial infarction (MI), and while there is evidence that miR-130a plays an important role in a variety of fibrotic diseases, its role in the cardiac fibrosis during MI is unclear. Our study aimed to assess miR-130a’s ability to modulate cardiac fibrosis post-MI and uncover its potential molecular mechanisms. miR-130a was significantly downregulated in infarcted myocardium and hypoxic cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), whereas TGF-β, α-SMA, collagen 1 (Col-1), and TGF-β receptor 1 (TGFBR1) were upregulated. We transfected mice with AAV-9 carrying miR-130a and found that miR-130a overexpression statistically improved cardiac function and reduced the area of cardiac fibrosis in mice post-MI. Eukaryotic transcriptome sequencing and dual-luciferase reporter assay results verified that Tgfbr1 was a target gene of miR-130a. miR-130a inhibition heightened Col-1, α-SMA, and TGFBR1 expressions and Smad3 phosphorylation levels in CFs; however, these increments were suppressed by the overexpression of miR-130a. Meanwhile, co-transfection with TGFBR1 weakened miR-130a’s ability to inhibit α-SMA and Col-1 expression. These findings suggest that miR-130a exerts antifibrotic properties by directly targeting TGFBR1 to regulate TGF-β/Smad signaling and inhibit the conversion of CFs to myofibroblasts. Thus, miR-130a is a promising therapeutic target for alleviating cardiac fibrosis.

Adipose expression of miR-130b and miR-17-5p with wasting, cardiovascular event and mortality in advanced chronic kidney disease patients

BACKGROUND

There were limited data on the association of adipose microRNA expression with body composition and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to evaluate the association of adipose miR-130b and miR-17-5p expressions with body composition, functional state, cardiovascular outcome and mortality in incident dialysis patients.

METHODS

We performed a single-centre prospective cohort study. Patients who were planned for peritoneal dialysis were recruited. MiR-130b and miR-17-5p expressions were measured from subcutaneous and pre-peritoneal fat tissue obtained during peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion. Body composition and physical function were assessed by bioimpedance spectroscopy and Clinical Frailty Scale. Primary outcome was 2-year survival. Secondary outcomes were 2-year technique survival and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) rate.

RESULTS

Adipose expression of miR-130b and miR-17-5p correlated with parameters of muscle mass including intracellular water (miR-130b: r = 0.191, P = 0.02; miR-17-5p: r = 0.211, P = 0.013) and lean tissue mass (miR-130b: r = 0.180, P = 0.03; miR-17-5p: r = 0.176, P = 0.004). miR-130b expression predicted frailty significantly (P = 0.016). Adipose miR-17-5p expression predicted 2-year all-cause survival (P = 0.020) and technique survival (P = 0.036), while miR-130b expression predicted incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Adipose miR-130b and miR-17-5p expressions correlated with body composition parameters, frailty, and predicted cardiovascular events and mortality in advanced CKD patients.

MiR-1236-3p Inhibits the Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration of Colon Cancer Cells and Hinders Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Targeting DCLK3

BACKGROUND

Dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) are common in human cancer and are involved in the proliferation, promotion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the expression and biological function of miR-1236-3p in colon cancer.

METHODS

This study screened the miRNA in normal and colon cancer tissues through array analysis. In addition, quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was performed to validate the expression of miR-1236-3p in normal and tumor tissues from colon cancer patients and cancer cell lines. Online predicting algorithms and luciferase reporter assays were also employed to confirm Doublecortin Like Kinase 3 (DCLK3) was the target for miR-1236-3p. Moreover, the impact of miR-1236-3p on the progression of colon cancer was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were also performed to investigate the interactions between miR-1236-3p and DCLK3.

RESULTS

MiR-1236-3p was significantly downregulated in colon cancer tissues and its expression was associated with the TNM stage and metastasis of colon. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that miR-1236-3p significantly promoted cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells. The results also showed that miR-1236-3p hindered Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) by targeting DCLK3. Moreover, the expression of DCLK3 mediated the effects of miR-1236-3p on the progression of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-1236-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in colon cancer by targeting DCLK3 and is therefore a promising therapeutic target for colon cancer.

MicroRNA-130a Is Elevated in Thyroid Eye Disease and Increases Lipid Accumulation in Fibroblasts Through the Suppression of AMPK

Purpose

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a condition that causes the tissue behind the eye to become inflamed and can result in excessive fatty tissue accumulation in the orbit. Two subpopulations of fibroblasts reside in the orbit: those that highly express Thy1 (Thy1+) and those with little or no Thy1 (Thy1–). Thy1– orbital fibroblasts (OFs) are more prone to lipid accumulation than Thy1+ OFs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms whereby Thy1– OFs more readily accumulate lipid.

Methods

We screened Thy1+ and Thy1– OFs for differences in microRNA (miRNA) expression. The effects of increasing miR-130a levels in OFs was investigated by measuring lipid accumulation and visualizing lipid deposits. To determine if adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is important for lipid accumulation, we performed small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of AMPKβ1. We measured AMPK expression and activity using immunoblotting for AMPK and AMPK target proteins.

Results

We determined that miR-130a was upregulated in Thy1– OFs and that miR-130a targets two subunits of AMPK. Increasing miR-130a levels enhanced lipid accumulation and reduced expression of AMPKα and AMPKβ in OFs. Depletion of AMPK also increased lipid accumulation. Activation of AMPK using AICAR attenuated lipid accumulation and increased phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in OFs.

Conclusions

These data suggest that when Thy1– OFs accumulate in TED, miR-130a levels increase, leading to a decrease in AMPK activity. Decreased AMPK activity promotes lipid accumulation in TED OFs, leading to excessive fatty tissue accumulation in the orbit.