Propranolol suppresses infantile hemangioma cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by upregulating miR-125b expression

Construction of miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network to Identify Potential Biomarkers in Infantile Hemangioma by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common vascular tumor among infants and children. However, the understanding of pathogenesis about IH has not been fully elucidated, and the potential diagnostic maker remains further explored. In this study, we aimed to find miRNAs as potential biomarkers of IH through bioinformatic analysis. The microarray datasets GSE69136, GSE100682 were downloaded from the GEO database. The co-expressed differential miRNAs were identified by analyzing these two datasets. The downstream common target genes were predicted by the ENCORI, Mirgene, miRWalk, and Targetscan databases. GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for target genes were performed. The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network and screen hub genes. Then potential diagnostic markers for IH were further screened and identified by using Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A total of thirteen co-expressed up-regulated miRNAs were screened out in the above two datasets, and 778 down-regulated target genes were then predicted. GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common target genes strongly correlated with IH. Through the DEM-hub gene network construction, six miRNAs associated with the hub genes were identified. Finally, has-miR-522-3p, has-miR-512-3p, has-miR-520a-5p with high diagnostic values were screened out by receiver operating characteristic analysis. In the study, the potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was firstly constructed in IH. And, the three miRNAs might be used as potential biomarkers for IH, which also provided novel strategies for the therapeutic intervention of IH.

Propranolol ameliorates retinopathy of prematurity in mice by downregulating HIF-1α via the PI3K/Akt/ERK pathway

BACKGROUND

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of blindness in infants, and elevation of HIF-1α through the PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways is implicated in ROP pathogenesis. The mechanism of action of propranolol in ROP remains controversial. We investigated the effect of propranolol on ROP and explored its potential mechanisms of action in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model.

METHODS

OIR mice were first treated with propranolol intraperitoneally, and the retina integrity was measured by FITC-dextran and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and key signaling pathway proteins was determined using real-time PCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

FITC-dextran staining showed that propranolol treatment reduced damage to retinal morphology in OIR mice. Mice treated with propranolol showed a reduced number of nuclei of vascular endothelial cells penetrating the inner limiting membrane of the retina, confirming the therapeutic effect of propranolol on ROP. Further analysis showed that HIF-1α and PI3K/Akt/ERK pathway protein levels were significantly elevated in OIR mice. In contrast, propranolol treatment downregulated the expression of these proteins, indicating that the PI3K/Akt/ERK/HIF-1α axis is associated with propranolol-induced ROP alleviation.

CONCLUSIONS

Propranolol has a therapeutic function against ROP, likely through the downregulation of HIF-1α via the PI3K/Akt/ERK pathway.

IMPACT

Propranolol can reduce the formation of abnormal retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) models, and reduce leaking, tortuous, and abnormally expanding retinal blood vessels. Propranolol possibly improves OIR by inhibiting the activated ERK and HIF-1α pathways. Furthermore, propranolol may downregulate HIF-1α via the PI3K/Akt/ERK pathway to ameliorate retinopathy of prematurity. This study elucidated that the therapeutic effect of propranolol in OIR mice does not involve the VEGFR-2 pathway.

Propranolol inhibits infantile hemangioma by regulating the miR-424/vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) axis

BACKGROUND

Infantile hemangioma (IHA) is the most common tumor in infancy. We aimed to explore the effect of propranolol on the expression of microRNA (miR)-424 in IHA tissues and XPTS-1 cells, as well as its molecular mechanism of inhibiting XPTS-1 cell activity.

METHODS

Tumor tissues and peritumoral tissue were collected from 13 IHA patients in Lishui Municipal Central Hospital. The level of miR-424 were detected using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure XPTS-1 cell viability. Flow cytometry and transwell were used to detect the apoptosis level and invasion ability of XPTS-1 cells. Western blot was used to measure the protein level of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA). The luciferase reporter gene assay detected the targeting relationship between miR-424 and VEGFA.

RESULTS

Compared with normal tissues and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the expression level of miR-424 in IHA tissues and XPTS-1 cells was significantly reduced (P<0.05). As the concentration of propranolol increased, XPTS-1 cell viability gradually decreased (P<0.05), and the expression level of VEGFA decreased (P<0.05). The expression of miR-424 increased with the time of propranolol treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, treatment with an miR-424 inhibitor resulted in a significant increase in XPTS-1 cell viability and invasion ability (P<0.05), and a decrease in apoptosis (P<0.05). However, both propranolol and miR-424 inhibitor treatment resulted in a partial decrease in XPTS-1 cell viability (P<0.05), and a partial increase in the level of apoptosis (P<0.05). MiR-424 directly targeted VEGFA; the overexpression of miR-424 resulted in a decrease in the VEGFA protein level (P<0.05), while inhibition of miR-424 resulted in an increase in the VEGFA protein level (P<0.05). Compared with the propranolol group, the XPTS-1 cell viability and invasion ability in the propranolol + VEGFA-si group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the level of apoptosis increased (P<0.05). Meanwhile, simultaneous miR-424 inhibitor treatment resulted in no difference in cell viability and apoptosis levels compared with the propranolol group, and the invasion ability was partially restored (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Propranolol affects the malignant biological behavior of IHA cells by regulating the miR-424/VEGFA axis.

RETRACTED: Mouse bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells-secreted exosomal microRNA-125b-5p suppresses atherosclerotic plaque formation via inhibiting Map4k4

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Concern was raised about the reliability of the Western blot results in Figs. 2D and 4E, which appear to have the same eyebrow shaped phenotype as many other publications tabulated here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/149EjFXVxpwkBXYJOnOHb6RhAqT4a2llhj9LM60MBffM/edit#gid=0). The journal requested the corresponding author comment on these concerns and provide the raw data. However the authors were not able to satisfactorily fulfil this request and therefore the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.

MiR-206 promotes extracellular matrix accumulation and relieves infantile hemangioma through targeted inhibition of DNMT3A

MiR-206 is abnormally expressed in infant hemangioma endothelial cells (HemECs), but the mechanism is not clear. We explored the intervention of miR-206 in HemECs in relation to extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism. We selected 48 cases of infantile hemangioma (IH) from volunteer organizations. After the isolated and extracted HemECs were interfered with overexpressed or silenced miR-206, the effects of miR-206 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HemECs were examined through basic cell function experiments. The expression differences of miR-206, DNA Methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and ECM-related genes were analyzed as needed by qRT-PCR or Western blot. TargetScan and dual-luciferase experiments were applied to predict and confirm the binding relationship between miR-206 and DNMT3A. The correlation between miR-206 and DNMT3A was analyzed in IH tissues by Pearson correlation coefficient, and further confirmed in HemECs by conducting rescue experiments. A nude mouse model of xenograft tumor was constructed to verify the results of in vitro experiments. MiR-206, which was downregulated in proliferative hemangioma, suppressed the malignant development of HemECs by regulating ECM-related genes. As the target gene of miR-206, DNMT3A was high-expressed in IH tissues and was negatively correlated with miR-206. Overexpressed DNMT3A counteracted the inhibitory effect of miR-206 mimic on HemECs and its regulatory effect on ECM. The results of in vivo experiments were consistent with those from cell experiments. Thus, miR-206 could promote ECM accumulation through targeted inhibition of DNMT3A, further inhibiting the malignant development of HemECs and relieving IH.

Effects of miR-125b-5p on Preadipocyte Proliferation and Differentiation in Chicken

Our previous studies have shown that miR-125b-5p was highly expressed and significantly upregulated during abdominal fat deposition in chickens. However, the role of miR-125b in the regulation of adipogenesis is not clear in chickens. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of miR-125b-5p on preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation and the interaction between miR-125b-5p and the acyl-CoA synthetase bubblegum family member 2 (ACSBG2) gene in adipogenesis in chicken abdominal adipose tissue. Here, transfection tests of miR-125b-5p mimic/inhibitor were performed in preadipocytes, and the effects of miR-125b-5p on preadipocytes proliferation and differentiation were analyzed. The target site of miR-125b-5p in the 3'UTR (untranslated region) of ACSBG2 were verified by a luciferase reporter assay. Our results showed that miR-125b-5p overexpression inhibited proliferation and reduced the number of cells in S phase and G2/M phase in preadipocytes; conversely, miR-125b-5p inhibition promoted the proliferation and increased the number of cells in S phase and G2/M phase. In adipocytes after induction, miR-125b-5p overexpression led to a notable increase in the accumulation of lipid droplets as well as in the concentration of triglycerides, while miR-125b-5p inhibition had the opposite effect. Furthermore, miR-125b-5p could directly bind to the 3'UTR of ACSBG2, and its overexpression could significantly repress the mRNA and protein expression of ACSBG2. These results indicate that miR-125b-5p can inhibit preadipocyte proliferation and can promote preadipocyte differentiation to affect adipogenesis in chicken abdominal adipose tissues, at least partially by downregulating ACSBG2.

Beta Blocker Therapy for Congenital Hepatic Arteriovenous Fistula in Two Neonates

Introduction: Hepatic arteriovenous fistula (HAVF) is an abnormal communication between the hepatic arteries and hepatic veins. This condition is treated mainly using interventional closure and surgery. However, these procedures are associated with many postoperative complications and high mortality. Propranolol and other beta blockers have been used widely and effectively to treat infantile hemangiomas. However, no reports describe the use of these drugs to treat congenital HAVF. Case Description:Here, we present two cases in which beta blocker therapy was used to treat congenital HAVF in neonates. In both cases, antenatal examinations revealed cardiac enlargement and hepatic space-occupying lesions. After birth, both patients rapidly presented with respiratory distress, cyanosis, and heart failure. Echocardiography suggested enlargement of the right heart, widening of the pulmonary artery, and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, and hepatic examinations revealed HAVF. Results:After admission, the patients were treated with dopamine, milinone, and furosemide for heart failure. However, their conditions worsened, as indicated by nod-like breathing and cyanosis. Endotracheal intubation and ventilator-assisted breathing and a small dose of oral propranolol (1 mg/kg/d) were initiated. The patients' conditions improved, as indicated by decreases in levels of the N-terminal pro-hormone BNP, and the ventilators were removed. The propranolol dose was increased gradually to 2 mg/kg/d. After 2 weeks of propranolol treatment, the neonate in case 2 developed bronchospasm, which improved after propranolol treatment ended and metoprolol treatment was initiated. Liver imaging performed 8-9 months after beta blocker therapy suggested the disappearance of the arteriovenous fistulae in case 2, and close to disappearing of the arteriovenous fistulae in case 1. Conclusion:Propranolol and metoprolol can effectively treat HAVF in infants, an observation consistent with that found in earlier studies that have shown beta blockers are a valid medical treatment option for infantile hemangioma. However, future studies should explore the underlying potential mechanism.