Transforming growth factor-β activated long non-coding RNA ATB plays an important role in acute rejection of renal allografts and may impacts the postoperative pharmaceutical immunosuppression therapy

Long journey on the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in acute kidney injury (AKI)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has a high rate of morbidity, death, and medical expenses, making it a worldwide public health problem. There are still few viable treatment plans for AKI despite medical advancements. A subclass of non-coding RNAs with over 200 nucleotides in length, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a wide range of biological roles. Lately, lncRNAs have become important mediators of AKI and prospective biomarkers. However, current studies show that, via constructing the lncRNA/microRNA/target gene regulatory axis, abnormal expression of lncRNAs has been connected to significant pathogenic processes associated with AKI, such as the inflammatory response, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In order to compete with mRNAs for binding to the same miRNAs and affect the expression of transcripts targeted by miRNAs, lncRNAs may function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). The most widely used approach for researching the biological roles of lncRNAs is the construction of ceRNA regulation networks. Our goal in this article is to deliver an updated review of lncRNAs in AKI and to provide more knowledge on their possible applications as therapeutic targets and AKI biomarkers.

Non-invasive molecular biomarkers for monitoring solid organ transplantation: A comprehensive overview

Solid organ transplantation is a life-saving intervention for individuals with end-stage organ failure. Despite the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy, the risk of graft rejection persists in all viable transplants between individuals. The risk of rejection may vary depending on the degree of compatibility between the donor and recipient for both human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA gene-encoded products. Monitoring the status of the allograft is a critical aspect of post-transplant management, with invasive biopsies being the standard of care for detecting rejection. Non-invasive biomarkers are increasingly being recognized as valuable tools for aiding in the detection of graft rejection, monitoring graft status and evaluating the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy. Here, we focus on the importance of molecular biomarkers in solid organ transplantation and their potential role in clinical practice. Conventional molecular biomarkers used in transplantation include HLA typing, detection of anti-HLA antibodies, killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genotypes, and anti-MHC class 1-related chain A antibodies, which are important for assessing the compatibility of the donor and recipient. Emerging molecular biomarkers include the detection of donor-derived cell-free DNA, microRNAs (regulation of gene expression), exosomes (small vesicles secreted by cells), and kidney solid organ response test, in the recipient's blood for early signs of rejection. This review highlights the strengths and limitations of these molecular biomarkers and their potential role in improving transplant outcomes.

Biomarkers for Kidney-Transplant Rejection: A Short Review Study

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal failure, but the limited availability of donors and the risk of immune rejection pose significant challenges. Early detection of acute renal rejection is a critical step to increasing the lifespan of the transplanted kidney. Investigating the clinical, genetic, and histopathological markers correlated to acute renal rejection, as well as finding noninvasive markers for early detection, is urgently needed. It is also crucial to identify which markers are associated with different types of acute renal rejection to manage treatment effectively. This short review summarizes recent studies that investigated various markers, including genomics, histopathology, and clinical markers, to differentiate between different types of acute kidney rejection. Our review identifies the markers that can aid in the early detection of acute renal rejection, potentially leading to better treatment and prognosis for renal-transplant patients.

Protein network and pathway analysis in a pharmacogenetic study of cyclosporine treatment response in Greek patients with psoriasis

Although cyclosporine comprises a well-established systemic therapy for psoriasis, patients show important heterogeneity in their treatment response. The aim of our study was the pharmacogenetic analysis of 200 Greek patients with psoriasis based on the cyclosporine pathway related protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, reconstructed through the PICKLE meta-database. We genotyped 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms, mapped to 22 key protein nodes of the cyclosporine pathway, via the utilization of the iPLEX®GOLD panel of the MassARRAY® System. Single-SNP analyses showed statistically significant associations between CALM1 rs12885713 (P = 0.0108) and MALT1 rs2874116 (P = 0.0006) polymorphisms with positive response to cyclosporine therapy after correction for multiple comparisons, with the haplotype analyses further enhancing the predictive value of rs12885713 as a pharmacogenetic biomarker for cyclosporine therapy (P = 0.0173). Our findings have the potential to improve our prediction of cyclosporine efficacy and safety in psoriasis patients, as well as provide the framework for the pharmacogenetics of biological therapies in complex diseases.

κ-Opioid Receptor Agonist U50448H Protects Against Acute Lung Injury in Rats with Cardiopulmonary Bypass via the CAP-NLRP3 Signaling Pathway

Objective. Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the common and severe complications of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which is the primary cause of death in intensive care units. Nevertheless, there is a lack of effective treatment for ALI secondary to CPB. κ-Opioid receptor (KOR) agonists have been demonstrated to improve lung function after pulmonary hypertension. However, its protective role has been barely reported in CPB-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Therefore, this research focused on the protective effect of a KOR agonist U50448H on ARDS and investigated its potential relationship with the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Method. Forty-five rats were randomly allocated into Sham, CPB, and U50448 groups (n = 15 rats/group). After a CPB model was successfully established in rats, CPB rats were treated with the KOR agonist U50448H. The values of extravascular lung water (EVLW), alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference (AaDO2), and respiratory index (RI) were examined, and the lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio was also calculated. Western blot (WB) was utilized to measure the expression of MMP-9, GSDMD-C, GSDMD-N, NLRP3, ASC, pro-Caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and α7-nAChR. The immunofluorescence assay was performed for examining the expression of ROS, F480, iNOS, CD206, and α7-nAChR. Cell apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL assay. ELISA was used to test the level of LPS in serum and the level of MDA, GSH, SOD, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-18, and IL-1β in lung tissues. Results. It was observed that the administration of U50448H significantly reduced EVLW values and LPS levels in the lung of rats. Meanwhile, U50448H increased AaDO2 values while decreasing RI values. Moreover, the administration of U50448H alleviated the pathological damage caused by ALI secondary to CPB. U50448H repressed ROS release and oxidative stress responses, as well as lowered LPS levels in plasma and MMP-9 expression in the lung of CPB rats. Furthermore, U50448H facilitated the shift of macrophage phenotype to M2. In addition, U50448H decreased the activity of the CAP-NLRP3 inflammasome and suppressed pyroptosis in pulmonary cells. Conclusion. The KOR agonist U50448H improved lung function and relieved lung injury in CPB rats, accompanied by diminished ROS and MMP-9 levels in lung tissues, promoted macrophage polarization from M1 to M2, and reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activities. These results indicated U50448H as a promising drug for the treatment of ALI secondary to CPB.

Epigenetic Regulation in Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation is a standard care for end stage renal disease, but it is also associated with a complex pathogenesis including ischemia-reperfusion injury, inflammation, and development of fibrosis. Over the past decade, accumulating evidence has suggested a role of epigenetic regulation in kidney transplantation, involving DNA methylation, histone modification, and various kinds of non-coding RNAs. Here, we analyze these recent studies supporting the role of epigenetic regulation in different pathological processes of kidney transplantation, i.e., ischemia-reperfusion injury, acute rejection, and chronic graft pathologies including renal interstitial fibrosis. Further investigation of epigenetic alterations, their pathological roles and underlying mechanisms in kidney transplantation may lead to new strategies for the discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.

An Update of Long-Noncoding RNAs in Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a global public health concern with high morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. Despite advances in medicine, effective therapeutic regimens for AKI remain limited. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a subtype of non-coding RNAs, which longer than 200 nucleotides and perform extremely diverse functions in biological processes. Recently, lncRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers and key mediators to AKI. Meanwhile, existing research reveals that the aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been linked to major pathological processes in AKI, including the inflammatory response, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, via forming the lncRNA/microRNA/target gene regulatory axis. Following a comprehensive and systematic search of the available literature, 87 relevant papers spanning the years 2005 to 2021 were identified. This review aims to provide and update an overview of lncRNAs in AKI, and further shed light on their potential utility as AKI biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Potential Roles of Long Noncoding RNAs as Therapeutic Targets in Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation is the most preferred treatment option for end-stage organ diseases; however, allograft rejection is the major hurdle in successful long-term transplant survival. In spite of developing better HLA matching and more effective immunosuppressive regimen, one-year graft survival has been increased by nearly 90% and the incidence of acute rejection by one-year post-transplantation has been decreased by 12.2% in the last decades, chronic allograft rejection has remained as one of the major obstacles to the long-lasting survival of the transplanted allograft. Therefore, seemingly preventing the allograft rejection and inducing immunological tolerance against transplanted allografts is one of the primary goals in transplantation research to enable long-lasting graft survival. Various mechanisms such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed that induce immune tolerance by modulating the gene expression and regulating innate and adaptive immune responses during transplantation. Besides, because of involvement in regulating epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms, lncRNAs could affect allograft status. Therefore, these molecules could be considered as the potential targets for prediction, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of graft rejection. It is suggested that the noninvasive predictive biomarkers hold promise to overcome the current limitations of conventional tissue biopsy in the diagnosis of rejection. Hence, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of lncRNAs and their function to facilitate diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of the risk of graft rejection, and the suggestive therapeutic choices after transplantation.

Potential Effects of Metformin on the Vitality, Invasion, and Migration of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Downregulating lncRNA-ATB

Objective

To elucidate the role of metformin in influencing VSMCs via the involvement of lncRNA-ATB.

Methods

qRT-PCR was conducted to detect serum levels of lncRNA-ATB and p53 in CHD patients (n = 50) and healthy subjects (n = 50). Correlation in serum levels of lncRNA-ATB and p53 in CHD patients was assessed by Pearson correlation test. ROC curves were depicted for analyzing the predictive potential of lncRNA-ATB in the occurrence of CHD. After metformin induction in VSMCs overexpressing lncRNA-ATB, relative levels of lncRNA-ATB and p53 were detected. Meanwhile, proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities in VSMCs were, respectively, examined by CCK-8 and transwell assay. The interaction between lncRNA-ATB and p53 was tested by RIP. In addition, the coregulation of lncRNA-ATB and p53 in cell functions of VSMCs was finally determined.

Results

Increased serum level of lncRNA-ATB and decreased p53 level were detected in CHD patients than those of healthy subjects. LncRNA-ATB could interact with p53 and negatively regulate its level. In addition, lncRNA-ATB could serve as a potential biomarker for predicting the occurrence of CHD. The overexpression of lncRNA-ATB triggered viability, migratory, and invasive abilities in VSMCs, and the above trends were abolished by metformin induction. The overexpression of p53 partially abolished the promotive effects of lncRNA-ATB on proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities in VSMCs.

Conclusions

Metformin induction inhibits proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities in VSMCs by downregulating lncRNA-ATB, which may be related to p53 activation.

LncRNA-ATB participates in the regulation of calcium oxalate crystal-induced renal injury by sponging the miR-200 family

Background

LncRNA-ATB is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) activated by transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and it has important biological functions in tumours and nontumour diseases. Meanwhile, TGF-β is the most critical regulatory factor in the process of nephrotic fibrosis and calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal-induced renal injury. The present study aimed to investigate the biological function and mechanism of lncRNA-ATB in CaOx crystal-induced renal injury.

Methods

The expression level of lncRNA-ATB was detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, TGF-β1 and Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) were detected by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence staining or western blot analysis, cell proliferation was measured with a CCK-8 kit, cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining, and cell injury was detected with the Cytotoxicity lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) Assay kit and the expression level of KIM-1.

Results

The expression levels of lncRNA-ATB and TGF-β1 were significantly increased in HK-2 cells after coincubation with calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). COM stimulation caused significant injury in the HK-2 cells, induced cell apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced EMT changes. After COM stimulation, the expression levels of the epithelial cell markers E-cadherin and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 in HK-2 cells significantly decreased, whereas the levels of the mesenchymal cell markers N-cadherin, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) significantly increased. Interference with lncRNA-ATB expression significantly relieved the COM-induced cell injury, cell apoptosis, proliferation inhibition, and EMT changes. The expression levels of the microRNA-200 (miR-200) family in the HK-2 cells after coincubation with COM were significantly decreased. MiR-200a mimics relieved the COM-induced cell injury, apoptosis, proliferation inhibition, and EMT changes, whereas miR-200a inhibitors abolished the lncRNA-ATB interference-induced relief of the COM-induced cell injury, apoptosis, proliferation inhibition, and EMT.

Conclusion

LncRNA-ATB promoted the COM-induced cell injury, cell apoptosis, proliferation inhibition, and EMT to participate in the process of CaOx crystal-induced renal injury by sponging miR-200s.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-021-00403-2.

Emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in allotransplant rejection

Allotransplantation has extensively been employed for managing end-stage organ failure and malignant tumors. Acute and chronic post-transplant rejections are major causes of late morbidity and mortality after allotransplantation. However, there are no objective diagnostic criteria and specific therapy for post-transplant rejections. Owing to key advances in high-throughput RNA sequencing techniques, a wealth of studies have disclosed that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) expression increased or decreased evidently in biopsies, blood, plasma, urine and specific cells of rejecting patients, and the dysregulated lncRNAs affected the cellular functions and differentiation of the immune system. Hence, we present an overview of the functions of lncRNAs expressed in various immune cells related to allotransplant rejection. Moreover, our review explores the regulatory interplay of relevant lncRNAs and recipients with or without allograft rejection after solid organ transplantations or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, then discuss whether these relevant lncRNAs can be molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and new therapeutic targets in the management of post-transplanted patients.

Integrated Characterization of lncRNA-Immune Interactions in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is among the top mortality factors in male around the world. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play crucial roles in tumor biology and immunology. However, lncRNA-immune interactions have not yet examined in prostate cancer. Here, we performed integrated analysis to characterize lncRNA-immune interactions in prostate cancer through multidimensional aspects, including immune-related hallmarks, tumor immunogenomic signatures, immune-related biological processes, immune cells, and immune checkpoints. We dissected the dysregulation of lncRNAs and their clinical relevance in prostate cancer, such as RP11-627G23.1 and RP11-465N4.5. Immune-related hallmarks took up the major parts among top significant lncRNA-hallmark interactions. Our analysis revealed that TGF-β signaling pathway was the most frequent to associate with lncRNAs, which is a signature of immune response in cancer. In addition, immune response and its regulation were the most closely connected immunological processes with lncRNA, implying the regulatory roles of lncRNAs on immune response in prostate cancer. We found that memory resting CD4⁺ T cells were the most lncRNA-correlated immune cell. LINC00861 was found to be potentially intervening targets of immunotherapy for prostate cancer patients, which was significantly associated with PD-1 and CTLA4. Collectively, we offered a handy resource to investigate regulatory roles of lncRNAs on tumor immunology and the development of clinical utility of lncRNAs in prostate cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs: A double-edged sword in aging kidney and renal disease

Aging as one of intrinsic biological processes is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. Kidney disease is a global problem and health care burden worldwide. The diagnosis of kidney disease is currently based on serum creatinine and urea levels. Novel biomarkers may improve diagnostic accuracy, thereby allowing early prevention and treatment. Over the past few years, advances in genome analyses have identified an emerging class of noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression and epigenetic reprogramming. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pervasively transcribed in the genome and could bind DNA, RNA and protein. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that lncRNAs played an important role in all stages of kidney disease. To date, only some lncRNAs were well identified and characterized, but the complexity of multilevel regulation of transcriptional programs involved in these processes remains undefined. In this review, we summarized the lncRNA expression profiling of large-scale identified lncRNAs on kidney diseases including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy and kidney transplantation. We further discussed a number of annotated lncRNAs linking with complex etiology of kidney diseases. Finally, several lncRNAs were highlighted as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Targeting lncRNAs may represent a precise therapeutic strategy for progressive renal fibrosis.

Emerging role of lncRNAs in renal fibrosis

Fibrosis is the final common pathological feature of a wide variety of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of renal fibrosis remains challenging and controversial. As the current focus of molecular research, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular noncoding RNAs (circRNAs), have powerful and abundant biological functions, which essentially makes them mediators of the physiological and pathological processes of various system diseases. The role of ncRNAs in renal fibrosis has also received great attention in recent years, but most research has mainly focused on miRNAs. In fact, although a large number of studies of lncRNAs have emerged recently, the role these molecules play in renal fibrosis haven't been fully understood till now. Thus, this review discusses the discovery of lncRNAs and their biological functions in different types of renal fibrosis, as well as the imminent applications of these findings in clinical use. Undoubtedly, in the future, further understanding of the function of all types of lncRNAs will reveal large breakthroughs in the treatment of renal fibrosis.

LncRNAs Act as a Link between Chronic Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important contributors to the biological processes underlying the pathophysiology of various human diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the involvement of these molecules in chronic liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and viral hepatitis, has only recently been considered in scientific research. While extensive studies on the pathogenesis of the development of HCC from hepatic fibrosis have been conducted, their regulatory molecular mechanisms are still only partially understood. The underlying mechanisms related to lncRNAs leading to HCC from chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis have not yet been entirely elucidated. Therefore, elucidating the functional roles of lncRNAs in chronic liver disease and HCC can contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms, and may help in developing novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC, as well as in preventing the progression of chronic liver disease to HCC. Here, we comprehensively review and briefly summarize some lncRNAs that participate in both hepatic fibrosis and HCC.

Potential Roles of Long Noncoding RNAs as Therapeutic Targets in Renal Fibrosis

Many studies have made clear that most of the genome is transcribed into noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), both of which can affect different cell features. LncRNAs are long heterogeneous RNAs that regulate gene expression and a variety of signaling pathways involved in cellular homeostasis and development. Several studies have demonstrated that lncRNA is an important class of regulatory molecule that can be targeted to change cellular physiology and function. The expression or dysfunction of lncRNAs is closely related to various hereditary, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases, and tumors. Specifically, recent work has shown that lncRNAs have an important role in kidney pathogenesis. The effective roles of lncRNAs have been recognized in renal ischemia, injury, inflammation, fibrosis, glomerular diseases, renal transplantation, and renal-cell carcinoma. The present review focuses on the emerging role and function of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of kidney inflammation and fibrosis as novel essential regulators. Although lncRNAs are important players in the initiation and progression of many pathological processes, their role in renal fibrosis remains unclear. This review summarizes the current understanding of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of kidney fibrosis and elucidates the potential role of these novel regulatory molecules as therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of kidney inflammation and fibrosis.

Diverse Role of TGF-β in Kidney Disease

Inflammation and fibrosis are two pathological features of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been long considered as a key mediator of renal fibrosis. In addition, TGF-β also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine that negatively regulates renal inflammation. Thus, blockade of TGF-β inhibits renal fibrosis while promoting inflammation, revealing a diverse role for TGF-β in CKD. It is now well documented that TGF-β1 activates its downstream signaling molecules such as Smad3 and Smad3-dependent non-coding RNAs to transcriptionally and differentially regulate renal inflammation and fibrosis, which is negatively regulated by Smad7. Therefore, treatments by rebalancing Smad3/Smad7 signaling or by specifically targeting Smad3-dependent non-coding RNAs that regulate renal fibrosis or inflammation could be a better therapeutic approach. In this review, the paradoxical functions and underlying mechanisms by which TGF-β1 regulates in renal inflammation and fibrosis are discussed and novel therapeutic strategies for kidney disease by targeting downstream TGF-β/Smad signaling and transcriptomes are highlighted.

Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Value of Non-Coding RNA Expression Profiles in Renal Transplantation

End-stage renal disease is a public health problem responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year. Although transplantation is the preferred treatment for patients in need of renal replacement therapy, long-term allograft survival remains challenging. Advances in high-throughput methods for large-scale molecular data generation and computational analysis are promising to overcome the current limitations posed by conventional diagnostic and disease classifications post-transplantation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNA molecules that, despite lacking protein-coding potential, are essential in the regulation of epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms involved in both health and disease. A large body of evidence suggests that ncRNAs can act as biomarkers of renal injury and graft loss after transplantation. Hence, the focus of this review is to discuss the existing molecular signatures of non-coding transcripts and their value to improve diagnosis, predict the risk of rejection, and guide therapeutic choices post-transplantation.

Noncoding RNAs in acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important health issue concerning ∼50% of patients treated in intensive care units. AKI mainly occurs after sepsis, acute ischemia, nephrotoxicity, or hypoxia and leads to severe damage of the kidney and to an increased risk of mortality. The diagnosis of AKI is currently based on creatinine urea levels and diuresis. Yet, novel markers may improve the accuracy of this diagnosis at an early stage of the disease, thereby allowing early prevention and therapy, ultimately leading to a reduction in the need for renal replacement therapy and decreased mortality. Non-protein-coding RNAs or noncoding RNAs are central players in development and disease. They are important regulatory molecules that allow a fine-tuning of gene expression and protein synthesis. This regulation is necessary to maintain homeostasis, and its dysregulation is often associated with disease development. Noncoding RNAs are present in the kidney and in body fluids and their expression is modulated during AKI. This review article assembles the current knowledge of the role of noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs, in the pathogenesis of AKI. Their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets as well as the challenges to translate research findings to clinical application are discussed. Although microRNAs have entered clinical testing, preclinical and clinical trials are needed before long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs may be considered as useful biomarkers or therapeutic targets of AKI.

Interfering with long chain noncoding RNA ANRIL expression reduces heart failure in rats with diabetes by inhibiting myocardial oxidative stress

This study is performed to elucidate whether long-chain noncoding RNA ANRIL has an effect on diabetes, and further explore the mechanism of ANRIL in diabetes. The rat model of diabetes was established via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The modeled rats were grouped into normal, diabetes, siRNA-NC, and ANRIL siRNA groups. Besides, the expression of ANRIL, cardiac function, inflammatory factor levels, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and levels of oxidative stress index were all determined. Upregulated ANRIL was found in myocardial tissue of diabetic rats. Downregulated ANRIL improved cardiac function index and the expression of inflammatory factors, improved the pathological state of myocardial tissue and myocardial remodeling, decreased myocardial collagen deposition area and cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reduced the oxidative level of myocardial tissue in diabetic rats. This present study suggests that upregulated ANRIL is found in myocardial tissue of diabetic rats. Additionally, silencing of ANRIL reduces myocardial injury in diabetes by inhibiting myocardial oxidative stress.

Non-coding RNAs in kidney injury and repair

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major kidney disease featured by a rapid decline of renal function. Pathologically, AKI is characterized by tubular epithelial cell injury and death. Besides its acute consequence, AKI contributes critically to the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). After AKI, surviving tubular cells regenerate to repair. Normal repair restores tubular integrity, while maladaptive or incomplete repair results in renal fibrosis and eventually CKD. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules that are transcribed from DNA but not translated into proteins, which mainly include microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), and tRNAs. Accumulating evidence suggests that ncRNAs play important roles in kidney injury and repair. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of the roles of ncRNAs, especially miRNAs and lncRNAs in kidney injury and repair, discuss the potential application of ncRNAs as biomarkers of AKI as well as therapeutic targets for treating AKI and impeding AKI-CKD transition, and highlight the future research directions of ncRNAs in kidney injury and repair.

Analysis of long noncoding RNAs for acute rejection and graft outcome in kidney transplant biopsies

AIM

To analyse long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) in kidney transplant biopsies.

METHODS

Using a data mining approach, we constructed expression profiles in kidney transplant cohorts (n = 1105) from Gene Expression Omnibus. Integrative analysis of the lncRNAs with acute rejection (AR), T-cell-mediated acute rejection (TCMR) and graft loss were performed.

RESULTS

Six lncRNAs were identified as are associated with AR in the training and validating datasets, and with a risk score was generated with 3-lncRNAs that were predictive of graft loss (AUC = 0.73). MIR155HG is associated with AR, TCMR and graft loss. Plus it might be involved in several graft rejection and immune associated pathways.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the role of lncRNAs in AR and graft outcome in kidney transplant biopsies needs to be further investigated.

Down-regulation of myocardial infarction associated transcript 1 improves myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in aged diabetic rats by inhibition of activation of NF-κB signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

This study is performed to investigate the effect of long chain noncoding RNA myocardial infarction associated transcript 1 (MIRT1) on myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in aged diabetic rats.

METHODS

The aged diabetic rat model and myocardial I/R injury model were established. Through injecting MIRT1 siRNA into caudal vein of rats, the cardiac function, myocardial pathological injury, myocardial fibrosis, cardiomyocytes apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammatory injury of myocardial tissue of rats were measured.

RESULTS

For diabetic I/R rats, the expression of MIRT1 in myocardial tissue was increased, the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway was increased, the degree of damage to cardiac function was aggravated, the area of myocardial pathological injury and myocardial fibrosis was enlarged, the degree of cardiomyocytes apoptosis was increased, the degree of oxidative stress and inflammatory injury was increased. After inhibiting the expression of MIRT1, the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway was inhibited, the damage of cardiac function and cardiomyopathy was alleviated, the area of myocardial fibrosis was decreased, the degree of myocardial apoptosis was decreased, the degree of oxidative stress and inflammatory injury was obviously improved.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights that down-regulation of MIRT1 improves myocardial I/R injury in aged diabetic rats by inhibition of activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

lncRNA involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and prognosis

Eukaryotic lncRNAs are RNA molecules defined to be greater than 200 bp in length that are not translated to a protein and operate through several mechanisms, including participating in chromatin remodeling and methylation, influencing the integrity and stability of proteins and complexes, or acting as a sponge for miRNA inhibition. A number of recent studies have concentrated on the relationship between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent histological type of liver tumors, accounting for about 80 % of the cases worldwide. Lack of proper molecular markers for diagnosis of HCC and treatment evaluation is a significant problem. Dysregulated expression of HCC-related lncRNAs such as MEG-3, MALAT1, HULC, HOTAIR, and H19 have been identified and closely related with tumorigenesis, metastasis, prognosis and diagnosis. In this review, we summarized recent highlighted functions and molecular mechanisms of the most extensively studied lncRNAs in the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma and their potential for serving as probable therapeutic targets.

Long non-coding RNAs: An essential emerging field in kidney pathogenesis

Human Genome Project has made it clear that a majority of the genome is transcribed into the non-coding RNAs including microRNAs as well as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which both can affect different features of cells. LncRNAs are long heterogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression and a variety of signaling pathways involved in cellular homeostasis and development. Studies over the past decade have shown that lncRNAs have a major role in the kidney pathogenesis. The effective roles of lncRNAs have been recognized in renal ischemia, injury, inflammation, fibrosis, glomerular diseases, renal transplantation, and renal cell carcinoma. The present review outlines the role and function of lncRNAs in kidney pathogenesis as novel essential regulators. Molecular mechanism insights into the functions of lncRNAs in kidney pathophysiological processes may contribute to effective future therapeutics.

Long non-coding RNAs: a rising biotarget in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer, with a high incidence and high mortality. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the development, invasion and metastasis, early diagnosis, prognosis, the chemoresistance and radioresistance of CRC through interference with mRNA activity, directly combining with proteins to regulate their activity or alter their localization, influencing downstream gene expression by inhibiting RNA polymerase and regulating gene expression as competing endogenous RNAs. Recent progress in next generation sequencing and transcriptome analysis has revealed that tissue and cancer-type specific lncRNAs could be useful prognostic markers. Here, the CRC-associated lncRNAs from recent studies until October 2016 are reviewed and multiple studies that have confirmed CRC-associated lncRNAs are summarized. This review may be helpful in understanding the overall relationships between the lncRNAs involved in CRC.

Clinical significance of lncRNA-ATB expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide health problem and it is important to understand the mechanistic roles of the biomolecules involved in its pathogenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently and aberrantly expressed in various human cancers and are known to play a role in cancer pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of lncRNA-ATB in HCC and investigate the implications for prognoses.

In total, 100 samples of HCC tissues and their corresponding, adjacent, non-cancerous liver tissues were collected. Total RNAs were extracted and the expression levels of lncRNA-ATB were measured by qRT-PCR. The association of lncRNA expression with clinicopathological features and patient survival were then analyzed.

LncRNA-ATB was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared with the levels in corresponding non-cancerous tissues. Expression of lncRNA-ATB was significantly associated with portal vein thrombosis, intrahepatic or extrahepatic metastases, mUICC stage, and the BCLC stage. Large tumors (> 5 cm, HR = 3.851, 95% CI = 1.431–10.364, p = 0.008) and higher lncRNA-ATB expression (HR = 4.158, 95% CI = 1.226–14.107, p = 0.022) were the significant prognostic factors for overall survival.

With this novel evidence of the involvement of lncRNA-ATB in HCC pathogenesis and clinical features, lncRNA-ATB can be concluded to have potential as a biomarker for the prognosis of HCC and as a targeted therapy for afflicted patients.

LncRNA-ATB: An indispensable cancer-related long noncoding RNA

OBJECTIVES

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non-protein-coding RNAs that are greater than 200 nucleotides in length. Increasing evidence indicates that lncRNAs, which may serve as either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes, play a vital role in the pathophysiology of human diseases, especially in tumourigenesis and progression. Deregulation of lncRNAs impacts different cellular processes, such as proliferation, dedifferentiation, migration, invasion and anti-apoptosis. The aim of this review was to explore the molecular mechanism and clinical significance of long non-coding RNA-activated by transforming growth factor β (lncRNA-ATB) in various types of cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this review, we summarize and analyze current studies concerning the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNA-ATB in tumour development. The related studies were obtained through a systematic search of Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Long non-coding RNAs-ATB is a novel cancer-related lncRNA that was recently found to exhibit aberrant expression in a variety of malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and lung cancer. Dysregulation of lncRNA-ATB has been shown to contribute to proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. Long non-coding RNAs-ATB promotes tumourigenesis and progression mainly through competitively binding miRNAs to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

CONCLUSIONS

Long non-coding RNAs-ATB likely represents a feasible cancer biomarker or therapeutic target.

Differential gene and lncRNA expression in the lower thoracic spinal cord following ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in rats

We used high-throughput RNA sequencing to analyze differential gene and lncRNA expression patterns in the lower thoracic spinal cord during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. We observed that of 32662 mRNAs, 4296 out were differentially expressed in the T8-12 segments of the spinal cord upon I/R-induced AKI. Among these, 62 were upregulated and 34 were downregulated in response to I/R (FDR < 0.05, |log₂FC| > 1). Further, 52 differentially expressed lncRNAs (35 upregulated and 17 downregulated) were identified among 3849 lncRNA transcripts. The differentially expressed mRNAs were annotated as “biological process,” “cellular components” and “molecular functions” through gene ontology enrichment analysis. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that cell cycle and renin-angiotensin pathways were upregulated in response to I/R, while protein digestion and absorption, hedgehog, neurotrophin, MAPK, and PI3K-Akt signaling were downregulated. The RNA-seq data was validated by qRT-PCR and western blot analyses of select mRNAs and lncRNAs. We observed that Bax, Caspase-3 and phospho-AKT were upregulated and Bcl-2 was downregulated in the spinal cord in response to renal injury. We also found negative correlations between three lncRNAs (TCONS_00042175, TCONS_00058568 and TCONS_00047728) and the degree of renal injury. These findings provide evidence for differential expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the lower thoracic spinal cord following I/R-induced AKI in rats and suggest potential clinical applicability.

Long noncoding RNA activated by TGF-β in human cancers: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Because long non-coding RNA ATB (activated by TGF-β) is dysregulated in many cancers, we performed a meta-analysis to determine its prognostic potential in malignant tumors.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, OVID, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from inception until November 15, 2016 and identified eight studies with 818 cancer patients for the meta-analysis. We analyzed the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine the relationship between lncRNA-ATB expression and overall survival (OS), recurrence -free survival (RFS), disease-free survival (DFS). We also use RevMan5.3 software to calculate odds ratio (ORs) to assess the association between lncRNA-ATB expression and pathological parameters including lymph node metastasis (LNM), distant metastasis (DM) and tumor stage.

RESULTS

Our analysis showed that increased lncRNA-ATB expression was associated with OS (HR=2.82, 95% CI:1.98-4.00, P<0.00001), DFS (HR=2.75, 95% CI:1.73-4.38, P<0.0001), RFS(HR=3.96, 95% CI:2.30-6.81, P<0.00001), LNM (OR=4.07, 95% CI 1.74-9.53, P=0.001), DM (OR=3.21, 95% CI 1.06-9.72, P=0.04) and high tumor stage (OR=2.81, 95% 1.78-4.43, P<0.0001) in patients with other types of cancers that excluded pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Meta-analysis demonstrated that increased lncRNA-ATB expression can be a useful prognostic biomarker in human cancer.