Inhibition of microRNA-34a mediates protection of thymosin beta 4 in endothelial progenitor cells against advanced glycation endproducts by targeting B-cell lymphoma 2

Childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and oxidative stress: microRNAs go on stage

The incidence of childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome has grown notably in the last years, becoming major public health burdens in developed countries. Nowadays, oxidative stress is well-recognized to be closely associated with the onset and progression of several obesity-related complications within the framework of a complex crosstalk involving other intertwined pathogenic events, such as inflammation, insulin disturbances, and dyslipidemia. Thus, understanding the molecular basis behind these oxidative dysregulations could provide new approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of childhood obesity and associated disorders. In this respect, the transcriptomic characterization of miRNAs bares great potential because of their involvement in post-transcriptional modulation of genetic expression. Herein, we provide a comprehensive literature revision gathering state-of-the-art research into the association between childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and miRNAs. We put special emphasis on the potential role of miRNAs in modulating obesity-related pathogenic events, with particular focus on oxidative stress.

Regulation of endothelial progenitor cell functions during hyperglycemia: new therapeutic targets in diabetic wound healing

Diabetes is primarily characterized by hyperglycemia, and its high incidence is often very costly to patients, their families, and national economies. Unsurprisingly, the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) decrease in patients resulting in diabetic wound non-healing. As precursors of endothelial cells (ECs), these cells were discovered in 1997 and found to play an essential role in wound healing. Their function, number, and role in wound healing has been widely investigated. Hitherto, a lot of complex molecular mechanisms have been discovered. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of how hyperglycemia affects the function and number of EPCs and how the affected cells impact wound healing. We aim to provide a complete summary of the relationship between diabetic hyperglycosemia, EPCs, and wound healing, as well as a better comprehensive platform for subsequent related research.

Rutin inhibited the advanced glycation end products-stimulated inflammatory response and extra-cellular matrix degeneration via targeting TRAF-6 and BCL-2 proteins in mouse model of osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is degenerative joint disorder mainly characterized by long-term pain with limited activity of joints, the disease has no effective preventative therapy. Rutin (RUT) is a flavonoid compound, present naturally. The flavonoid shows range of biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effect. We screened RUT for its activity against osteoarthritis with in vivo and in vitro models of osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Animal model of OA was developed using C57BL/6 mice by surgical destabilization of medial meniscus. For in vitro studies the human articular cartilage tissues were used which were collected from osteoarthritis patients and were processed to isolate chondrocytes. The chondrocytes were submitted to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) for inducing osteoarthritis in vitro. Cell viability was done by CCK-8 assay, ELISA analysis for MMP13, collage II, PGE2, IL-6, TNF-α, ADAMTS-5 and MMP-13. Western blot analysis was done for expression of proteins and in silico analysis was done by docking studies.

RESULTS

Pretreatment of RT showed no cytotoxic effect and also ameliorated the AGE mediated inflammatory reaction on human chondrocytes in vitro. Treatment of RT inhibited the levels of COX-2 and iNOS in AGE exposed chondrocytes. RT decreased the AGE mediated up-regulation of IL-6, NO, TNF-α and PGE-2 in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment of RT decreased the extracellular matrix degradation, inhibited expression of TRAF-6 and BCL-2 the NF-κB/MAPK pathway proteins. The treatment of RT in mice prevented the calcification of cartilage tissues, loss of proteoglycans and also halted the narrowing of joint space is mice subjected to osteoarthritis. The in-silico analysis suggested potential binding affinity of RT with TRAF-6 and BCL-2.

CONCLUSION

In brief RT inhibited AGE-induced inflammatory reaction and also degradation of ECM via targeting the NF-κB/MAPK pathway proteins BCL-2 and TRAF-6. RT can be a potential molecule in treating OA.

The progress, prospects, and challenges of the use of non-coding RNA for diabetic wounds

Chronic diabetic wounds affect the quality of life of patients, resulting in significant social and economic burdens on both individuals and the health care system. Although treatment methods for chronic diabetic wounds have been explored, there remains a lack of effective treatment strategies; therefore, alternative strategies must be explored. Recently, the abnormal expression of non-coding RNA in diabetic wounds has received widespread attention since it is an important factor in the development of diabetic wounds. This article reviews the regulatory role of three common non-coding RNAs (microRNA [miRNA], long non-coding RNA [lncRNA], and circular RNA [circRNA]) in diabetic wounds and discusses the diagnosis, treatment potential, and challenges of non-coding RNA in diabetic wounds. This article provides insights into new strategies for diabetic wound diagnosis and treatment at the genetic and molecular levels.

The Impact of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Primary Stem Cells: A Systematic Review

Stem cell-based regenerative therapies hold great promises to treat a wide spectrum of diseases. However, stem cell engraftment and survival are still challenging due to an unfavorable transplantation environment. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) can contribute to the generation of these harmful conditions. AGEs are a heterogeneous group of glycated products, nonenzymatically formed when proteins and/or lipids become glycated and oxidized. Our typical Western diet as well as cigarettes contain high AGEs content. AGEs are also endogenously formed in our body and accumulate with senescence and in pathological situations. Whether AGEs have an impact on stem cell viability in regenerative medicine remains unclear, and research on the effect of AGEs on stem cell proliferation and apoptosis is still ongoing. Therefore, this systematic review provides a clear overview of the effects of glycated proteins on cell viability in various types of primary isolated stem cells used in regenerative medicine.