A genome-wide screen reveals microRNAs in peripheral sensory neurons driving painful diabetic neuropathy

Exploring the role of miRNA in diabetic neuropathy: from diagnostics to therapeutics

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus affecting 50% of the diabetic population marred by various unmet clinical needs. There is a need to explore newer pathological mechanisms for designing futuristic regimens for the management of DN. There is a need for post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to finetune different cellular mechanisms with significant biological relevance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small ncRNAs (~ 20 to 24 nucleotide length) that are known to regulate the activity of ~ 50% protein-coding genes through repression of their target mRNAs. Differential expression of these miRNAs is associated with the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy via regulating various pathways such as neuronal hyperexcitability, inflammation, axonal growth, regeneration, and oxidative stress. Of note, the circulating and extracellular vesicular miRNAs serve as potential biomarkers underscoring their diagnostic potential. Recent pieces of evidence highlight the potential of miRNAs in modulating the initiation and progression of DN and the possibility of developing miRNAs as treatment options for DN. In this review, we have elaborated on the role of different miRNAs as potential biomarkers and emphasized their druggable aspects for promising future therapies for the clinical management of DN.

Out of the dark: the emerging roles of lncRNAs in pain

The dark genome, the nonprotein-coding part of the genome, is replete with long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). These functionally versatile transcripts, with specific temporal and spatial expression patterns, are critical gene regulators that play essential roles in health and disease. In recent years, FAAH-OUT was identified as the first lncRNA associated with an inherited human pain insensitivity disorder. Several other lncRNAs have also been studied for their contribution to chronic pain and genome-wide association studies are frequently identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms that map to lncRNAs. For a long time overlooked, lncRNAs are coming out of the dark and into the light as major players in human pain pathways and as potential targets for new RNA-based analgesic medicines.

Spinal Neuronal miR-124 Inhibits Microglial Activation and Contributes to Preventive Effect of Electroacupuncture on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a persistent and irreversible side effect of antineoplastic agents. Patients with CIPN usually show chronic pain and sensory deficits with glove-and-stocking distribution. However, whether spinal neuronal microRNA (miR)-124 is involved in cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy remains to be studied. In this study, miR-124 was significantly reduced in the spinal dorsal horn in CIPN mice. Overexpression of neuronal miR-124 induced by injecting adeno-associated virus with neuron-specific promoter into the spinal cord of mice prevented the development of mechanical allodynia, sensory deficits, and the loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers induced by cisplatin. Meanwhile, cisplatin-induced M1 microglia activation and the release of proinflammatory cytokines were significantly inhibited by overexpression of neuronal miR-124. Furthermore, electroacupuncture (EA) treatment upregulated miR-124 expression in the spinal dorsal horn of CIPN mice. Interestingly, downregulation of spinal neuronal miR-124 significantly inhibited the regulatory effect of EA on CIPN and microglia activity as well as spinal neuroinflammation induced by cisplatin. These results demonstrate that spinal neuronal miR-124 is involved in the prevention and treatment of EA on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice. Our findings suggest that spinal neuronal miR-124 might be a potential target for EA effect, and we provide, to our knowledge, a new experimental basis for EA prevention of CIPN.

Unraveling the epigenetic fabric of type 2 diabetes mellitus: pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly escalating global health concern, with its prevalence projected to increase significantly in the near future. This review delves into the intricate role of epigenetic modifications - including DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expression - in the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM. We critically examine how these epigenetic changes contribute to the onset and exacerbation of T2DM by influencing key pathogenic processes such as obesity, insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, cellular senescence, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, we explore the involvement of epigenetic dysregulation in T2DM-associated complications, including diabetic retinopathy, atherosclerosis, neuropathy, and cardiomyopathy. This review highlights recent studies that underscore the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic modifications in T2DM. We also provide an overview of the impact of lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet on the epigenetic landscape of T2DM, underscoring their relevance in disease management. Our synthesis of the current literature aims to illuminate the complex epigenetic underpinnings of T2DM, offering insights into novel preventative and therapeutic strategies that could revolutionize its management.

Systemic inflammatory markers in patients with polyneuropathies

Introduction

In patients with peripheral neuropathies (PNP), neuropathic pain is present in 50% of the cases, independent of the etiology. The pathophysiology of pain is poorly understood, and inflammatory processes have been found to be involved in neuro-degeneration, -regeneration and pain. While previous studies have found a local upregulation of inflammatory mediators in patients with PNP, there is a high variability described in the cytokines present systemically in sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We hypothesized that the development of PNP and neuropathic pain is associated with enhanced systemic inflammation.

Methods

To test our hypothesis, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the protein, lipid and gene expression of different pro- and anti-inflammatory markers in blood and CSF from patients with PNP and controls.

Results

While we found differences between PNP and controls in specific cytokines or lipids, such as CCL2 or oleoylcarnitine, PNP patients and controls did not present major differences in systemic inflammatory markers in general. IL-10 and CCL2 levels were related to measures of axonal damage and neuropathic pain. Lastly, we describe a strong interaction between inflammation and neurodegeneration at the nerve roots in a specific subgroup of PNP patients with blood-CSF barrier dysfunction.

Conclusion

In patients with PNP systemic inflammatory, markers in blood or CSF do not differ from controls in general, but specific cytokines or lipids do. Our findings further highlight the importance of CSF analysis in patients with peripheral neuropathies.

The link between epigenetics, pain sensitivity and chronic pain

Increasing evidence suggests an association between gene expression and clinical pain. Epigenetic modifications are the main modulators of gene expression or protein translation in response to environmental stimuli and pathophysiological conditions. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that epigenetic modifications could also impact the development of pain, the transition from acute to chronic pain, and the maintenance hereof.

Transcriptome analysis of microRNAs, circRNAs, and mRNAs in the dorsal root ganglia of paclitaxel-induced mice with neuropathic pain

The microtubule-stabilizing drug paclitaxel (PTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely prescribed for the treatment of various tumor types. The main adverse effect of PTX-mediated therapy is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and neuropathic pain, which are similar to the adverse effects associated with other chemotherapeutic agents. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contain primary sensory neurons; any damage to these neurons or their axons may lead to neuropathic pain. To gain molecular and neurobiological insights into the peripheral sensory system under conditions of PTX-induced neuropathic pain, we used transcriptomic analysis to profile mRNA and non-coding RNA expression in the DRGs of adult male C57BL/6 mice treated using PTX. RNA sequencing and in-depth gene expression analysis were used to analyze the expression levels of 67,228 genes. We identified 372 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the DRGs of vehicle- and PTX-treated mice. Among the 372 DEGs, there were 8 mRNAs, 3 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 16 circular RNAs (circRNAs), and 345 microRNAs (miRNAs). Moreover, the changes in the expression levels of several miRNAs and circRNAs induced by PTX have been confirmed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. In addition, we compared the expression levels of differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNA in the DRGs of mice with PTX-induced neuropathic pain against those evaluated in other models of neuropathic pain induced by other chemotherapeutic agents, nerve injury, or diabetes. There are dozens of shared differentially expressed miRNAs between PTX and diabetes, but only a few shared miRNAs between PTX and nerve injury. Meanwhile, there is no shared differentially expressed mRNA between PTX and nerve injury. In conclusion, herein, we show that treatment with PTX induced numerous changes in miRNA expression in DRGs. Comparison with other neuropathic pain models indicates that DEGs in DRGs vary greatly among different models of neuropathic pain.

Current and Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Disorders

Peripheral nerve disorders are caused by a range of different aetiologies. The range of causes include metabolic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease. Diabetic neuropathy may be associated with severe weakness and the loss of sensation, leading to gangrene and amputation in advanced cases. Recent studies have indicated a high prevalence of neuropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease, also known as uraemic neuropathy. Immune-mediated neuropathies including Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy may cause significant physical disability. As survival rates continue to improve in cancer, the prevalence of treatment complications, such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, has also increased in treated patients and survivors. Notably, peripheral neuropathy associated with these conditions may be chronic and long-lasting, drastically affecting the quality of life of affected individuals, and leading to a large socioeconomic burden. This review article explores some of the major emerging clinical and experimental therapeutic agents that have been investigated for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy due to metabolic, toxic and immune aetiologies.

DNA Methylation and Non-Coding RNAs during Tissue-Injury Associated Pain

While about half of the population experience persistent pain associated with tissue damages during their lifetime, current symptom-based approaches often fail to reduce such pain to a satisfactory level. To provide better patient care, mechanism-based analgesic approaches must be developed, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the nociceptive mechanism leading to tissue injury-associated persistent pain. Epigenetic events leading the altered transcription in the nervous system are pivotal in the maintenance of pain in tissue injury. However, the mechanisms through which those events contribute to the persistence of pain are not fully understood. This review provides a summary and critical evaluation of two epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methylation and non-coding RNA expression, on transcriptional modulation in nociceptive pathways during the development of tissue injury-associated pain. We assess the pre-clinical data and their translational implication and evaluate the potential of controlling DNA methylation and non-coding RNA expression as novel analgesic approaches and/or biomarkers of persistent pain.

Sensitization of supra-threshold pain responses-Translational aspects and mechanisms

A substantial translational gap in pain research has been reflected by a mismatch of relevant primary pain assessment endpoints in preclinical vs. clinical trials. Since activity-dependent mechanisms may be neglected during reflexive tests, this may add as a confounding factor during preclinical pain assessment. In this perspective, we consider the evidence for a need for supra-threshold pain assessment in the pain research literature. In addition to that, we focus on previous results that may demonstrate an example mechanism, where the detection of neuron-glial interactions on pain seems to be substantially depending on the assessment of pain intensity beyond threshold levels.

Neurobiological Opportunities in Diabetic Polyneuropathy

This review highlights a selection of potential translational directions for the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) currently irreversible and without approved interventions beyond pain management. The list does not include all diabetic targets that have been generated over several decades of research but focuses on newer work. The emphasis is firstly on approaches that support the viability and growth of peripheral neurons and their ability to withstand a barrage of diabetic alterations. We include a section describing Schwann cell targets and finally how mitochondrial damage has been a common element in discussing neuropathic damage. Most of the molecules and pathways described here have not yet reached clinical trials, but many trials have been negative to date. Nonetheless, these failures clear the pathway for new thoughts over reversing DPN.

Clinical significance of serum miR-129-5p in patients with diabetes mellitus presenting macrovascular complications

BACKGROUND

Diabetic macrovascular complications (DMCs) are the most common complications encountered during the course of diabetes mellitus (DM) with extremely high mortality rates. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify specific and sensitive biomarkers for the early diagnosis of DMCs.

AIM

To investigate the expression and significance of serum miR-129-5p in patients with DM and macrovascular complications.

METHODS

Serum samples were collected from 36 healthy controls, 58 patients with DM presenting no macrovascular complications, and 62 patients with DMCs. The expression of miR-129-5p was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Pearson’s correlation assay was performed to analyze the correlation between serum miR-129-5p levels and clinical indicators. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to analyze the diagnostic value of serum miR-129-5p in patients with DM or DMCs.

RESULTS

There was a 4.378-fold and 7.369-fold increase in serum miR-129-5p expression in the DM (5.346 ± 0.405) and DMCs (8.998 ± 0.631) groups, respectively (P < 0.001), compared with the control group (1.221±0.090). In addition, the expression of serum miR-129-5p in patients with DMCs was higher than that in patients with DM, revealing a 1.683-fold increase (P < 0.001). Additionally, serum miR-129-5p expression significantly correlated with smoking history, disease duration, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with DMCs (P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of miR-129-5p as a serum marker was 0.964 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.930-0.997, P < 0.001) in distinguishing between patients with DM and healthy controls, whereas the AUC of miR-129-5p as a serum marker was 0.979 (95%CI: 0.959-0.999, P < 0.001) in distinguishing between patients with DMCs and healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Elevated serum miR-129-5p expression levels correlate with the development of DMCs and can be utilized as a novel early diagnostic biomarker for DM combined with macrovascular complications.