MiR-4674 regulates angiogenesis in tissue injury by targeting p38K signaling in endothelial cells

Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 1 in Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance: Mechanistic Insights and Translational Advances

Interleukin-1 Receptor Associated Kinase 1 (IRAK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a critical role as a signaling transducer of the activated Toll-like receptor (TLR)/Interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathway in both immune cells and cancer cells. Upon hyperphosphorylation by IRAK4, IRAK1 forms a complex with TRAF6, which results in the eventual activation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. IRAK1 can translocate to the nucleus where it phosphorylates STAT3 transcription factor, leading to enhanced IL-10 gene expression. In immune cells, activated IRAK1 coordinates innate immunity against pathogens and mediates inflammatory responses. In cancer cells, IRAK1 is frequently activated, and the activation is linked to the progression and therapeutic resistance of various types of cancers. Consequently, IRAK1 is considered a promising cancer drug target and IRAK1 inhibitors have been developed and evaluated preclinically and clinically. This is a comprehensive review that summarizes the roles of IRAK1 in regulating metastasis-related signaling pathways of importance to cancer cell proliferation, cancer stem cells, and dissemination. This review also covers the significance of IRAK1 in mediating cancer resistance to therapy and the underlying molecular mechanisms, including the evasion of apoptosis and maintenance of an inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Finally, we provide timely updates on the development of IRAK1-targeted therapy for human cancers.

Genetic variation in NOTCH1 is associated with overweight and obesity in Brazilian elderly

Excessive weight (overweight and obesity) is a common disorder involving genetic and environmental factors, associated with cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, and others. NOTCH1 is critical for the maintenance of stem cells and adult tissues, being reported as a key player in metabolism and adipogenesis in animals. Thus, we test the hypothesis that NOTCH1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with excessive weight. Participants from the census-based cohort SABE (Saúde, Bem Estar e Envelhecimento-Health, Well-Being, and Aging), carried out in the city of São Paulo-Brazil, were stratified into cases and controls according to BMI. We filter the SNPs located at the start and end positions of NOTCH1 and 50 Kb on both sides. We selected SNPs with minor allelic frequency (MAF) greater than or equal to 0.01 and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05) and r2 ≥ 0.8. We performed an association study with genotypes and haplotypes, as well as in silico functional analysis of the identified SNPs. We observed an association of the SNP rs9411207 with the risk of excessive weight, under log-additive model, and the genotype distribution showed an increased frequency of homozygous TT (OR 1.50, CI 1.20-1.88; p = 0.0002). The haplotype GAT constructed from this and other SNPs in high Linkage Disequilibrium was more frequent in excessive-weight individuals (p = 0.003). In silico analyses suggested that these SNPs are likely to affect the transcription of NOTCH1 and other genes involved in adipogenesis and metabolism. This is the first study reporting association between NOTCH1 SNPs and the risk of excessive weight. Considering the possibility of NOTCH1 modulation, additional population studies are important to replicate these data and confirm the usefulness of risk genotypes for management strategies of excessive weight.

Interfering with Dusp2 alleviates high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction by promoting p38 MAPK pathway activation

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction is a major factor contributing to diabetic lower extremity ischemia. We intend to investigate the role of Dusp2 in hyperglycemia-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and related mechanisms.

METHODS

The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with high glucose (HG) as the cell model. Streptozotocin injection was performed to induce diabetes and femoral artery ligation was to induce hind limb ischemia in mice. The levels of Dusp2, p-p38 MAPK, E2F4, and p38 MAPK were evaluated by Western blot or quantitative real-time PCR. The laser Doppler perfusion imaging was conducted to measure blood flow recovery. The cell counting kit-8, transwell, and tube formation assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, respectively. CD31 immunohistochemical staining was carried out to detect the capillary density of gastrocnemius. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were executed to explore the interaction between E2F4 and Dusp2.

RESULTS

Dusp2 was highly expressed in HG-induced HUVECs and diabetic lower extremity ischemia model mice. Interference with Dusp2 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, as well as alleviated mouse diabetic hindlimb ischemia. Dusp2 knockdown up-regulated p-p38 MAPK levels. We verified the binding between E2F4 and Dusp2. Overexpressing E2F4 suppressed Dusp2 levels and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, co-overexpression of Dusp2 reversed the results.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpressing E2F4 promotes endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by inhibiting Dusp2 expression and activating p38 MAPK to alleviate vascular endothelial cell dysfunction under HG stimulation.

Recent Advances in Extracellular Vesicles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Emergent Perspectives

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe and incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death. It is a rare disease characterized by high patient-to-patient heterogeneity, which makes its study arduous and complex. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important players in the development of ALS. Thus, ALS phenotype-expressing cells can spread their abnormal bioactive cargo through the secretion of EVs, even in distant tissues. Importantly, owing to their nature and composition, EVs' formation and cargo can be exploited for better comprehension of this elusive disease and identification of novel biomarkers, as well as for potential therapeutic applications, such as those based on stem cell-derived exosomes. This review highlights recent advances in the identification of the role of EVs in ALS etiopathology and how EVs can be promising new therapeutic strategies.

Impaired angiogenesis in diabetic critical limb ischemia is mediated by a miR-130b/INHBA signaling axis

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes compose a high-risk population for development of critical limb ischemia (CLI) and amputation, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Comparison of dysregulated microRNAs from diabetic patients with PAD and diabetic mice with limb ischemia revealed the conserved microRNA, miR-130b-3p. In vitro angiogenic assays demonstrated that miR-130b rapidly promoted proliferation, migration, and sprouting in endothelial cells (ECs), whereas miR-130b inhibition exerted antiangiogenic effects. Local delivery of miR-130b mimics into ischemic muscles of diabetic mice (db/db) following femoral artery ligation (FAL) promoted revascularization by increasing angiogenesis and markedly improved limb necrosis and amputation. RNA-Seq and gene set enrichment analysis from miR-130b-overexpressing ECs revealed the BMP/TGF-β signaling pathway as one of the top dysregulated pathways. Accordingly, overlapping downregulated transcripts from RNA-Seq and miRNA prediction algorithms identified that miR-130b directly targeted and repressed the TGF-β superfamily member inhibin-β-A (INHBA). miR-130b overexpression or siRNA-mediated knockdown of INHBA induced IL-8 expression, a potent angiogenic chemokine. Lastly, ectopic delivery of silencer RNAs (siRNA) targeting Inhba in db/db ischemic muscles following FAL improved revascularization and limb necrosis, recapitulating the phenotype of miR-130b delivery. Taken together, a miR-130b/INHBA signaling axis may provide therapeutic targets for patients with PAD and diabetes at risk of developing CLI.

Transcription factor cellular promoter 2 is required for upstream binding protein 1 -mediated angiogenesis

OBJECTIVE

Angiogenesis is a key process of repairing tissue damage, and it is regulated by the delicate balance between anti-angiogenesis factors. In the present study, we investigate whether transcription factor cellular promoter 2 (TFCP2) is required for upstream binding protein 1 (UBP1)-mediated angiogenesis.

METHODS

Levels of UBP1 and TFCP2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and Western blotting (WB). Effects of UBP1 on angiogenesis and migration are detected by tube-like network formation on matrigel assay and scratch assay. The interaction between UBP1 and TFCP2 is predicted and verified by STRING and Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP).

RESULTS

Firstly, the UBP1 expression level was up-regulated in the stimuli of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HUVECs, and the knockdown of UBP1 inhibited angiogenesis and migration of HUVECs. Then, UBP1 interacted with TFCP2. Besides, the TFCP2 expression level was up-regulated in VEGF-stimulated HUVECs. Furthermore, knockdown of TFCP2 inhibited angiogenesis and migration in VEGF-stimulated HUVECs, and down-regulation of UBP1 enhanced the inhibition.

CONCLUSION

TFCP2 also plays a key role in UBP1 mediated angiogenesis of HUVECs stimulated by VEGF. These findings will provide a new theoretical basis for the treatment of angiogenic diseases.

A time to heal: microRNA and circadian dynamics in cutaneous wound repair

Many biological systems have evolved circadian rhythms based on the daily cycles of daylight and darkness on Earth. Such rhythms are synchronised or entrained to 24-h cycles, predominantly by light, and disruption of the normal circadian rhythms has been linked to elevation of multiple health risks. The skin serves as a protective barrier to prevent microbial infection and maintain homoeostasis of the underlying tissue and the whole organism. However, in chronic non-healing wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), pressure sores, venous and arterial ulcers, a variety of factors conspire to prevent wound repair. On the other hand, keloids and hypertrophic scars arise from overactive repair mechanisms that fail to cease in a timely fashion, leading to excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as such as collagen. Recent years have seen huge increases in our understanding of the functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) in wound repair. Concomitantly, there has been growing recognition of miRNA roles in circadian processes, either as regulators or targets of clock activity or direct responders to external circadian stimuli. In addition, miRNAs are now known to function as intercellular signalling mediators through extracellular vesicles (EVs). In this review, we explore the intersection of mechanisms by which circadian and miRNA responses interact with each other in relation to wound repair in the skin, using keratinocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts as exemplars. We highlight areas for further investigation to support the development of translational insights to support circadian medicine in the context of these cells.

Notch Signaling and Cross-Talk in Hypoxia: A Candidate Pathway for High-Altitude Adaptation

Hypoxia triggers complex inter- and intracellular signals that regulate tissue oxygen (O2) homeostasis, adjusting convective O2 delivery and utilization (i.e., metabolism). Human populations have been exposed to high-altitude hypoxia for thousands of years and, in doing so, have undergone natural selection of multiple gene regions supporting adaptive traits. Some of the strongest selection signals identified in highland populations emanate from hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway genes. The HIF pathway is a master regulator of the cellular hypoxic response, but it is not the only regulatory pathway under positive selection. For instance, regions linked to the highly conserved Notch signaling pathway are also top targets, and this pathway is likely to play essential roles that confer hypoxia tolerance. Here, we explored the importance of the Notch pathway in mediating the cellular hypoxic response. We assessed transcriptional regulation of the Notch pathway, including close cross-talk with HIF signaling, and its involvement in the mediation of angiogenesis, cellular metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress, relating these functions to generational hypoxia adaptation.

Targeting Epigenetics and Non-coding RNAs in Myocardial Infarction: From Mechanisms to Therapeutics

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a complicated pathology triggered by numerous environmental and genetic factors. Understanding the effect of epigenetic regulation mechanisms on the cardiovascular disease would advance the field and promote prophylactic methods targeting epigenetic mechanisms. Genetic screening guides individualised MI therapies and surveillance. The present review reported the latest development on the epigenetic regulation of MI in terms of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA-dependent MI mechanisms and the novel therapies based on epigenetics.

LncRNA SNHG12 alleviates hypertensive vascular endothelial injury through miR-25-3p/SIRT6 pathway

The objective of this study was to find the role of LncRNA SNHG12 in the regulation of hypertensive vascular endothelial injury. LncRNA SNHG12 and miR-25-3p expression were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein levels of Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), endothelial cell (EC) senescence markers p16 and p21, and EC marker CD31 were measured by Western blot. The apoptosis of HUVECs was detected by flow cytometry. The binding between LncRNA SNHG12 and miR-25-3p was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down assay. As a result, LncRNA SNHG12 was down-regulated in aortic primary ECs isolated from Ang II-induced hypertensive mice and 1 kidney/deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt-induced hypertensive mice. In Ang II-treated HUVECs, the expression level of SNHG12 was reduced and the overexpression of SNHG12 inhibited EC senescence markers p16 and p21 expressions, the apoptosis of HUVECs, and caspase-3 activity. Further investigation confirmed that LncRNA SNHG12 bound to miR-25-3p, and negatively regulated miR-25-3p expression. MiR-25-3p directly targeted SIRT6 and negatively regulated SIRT6 expression. In addition, SNHG12 overexpression inhibited Ang II-induced HUVECs injury through regulating miR-25-3p. Finally, in vivo experiments showed LncRNA SNHG12 overexpression alleviated vascular endothelial injury in Ang II-induced hypertensive mice. In conclusion, LncRNA SNHG12 alleviates vascular endothelial injury induced by hypertension through miR-25-3p/SIRT6 pathway.

Capturing the RNA castle: Exploiting MicroRNA inhibition for wound healing

The growing pipelines of RNA-based therapies herald new opportunities to deliver better patient outcomes for complex disorders such as chronic nonhealing wounds associated with diabetes. Members of the microRNA (miRNA) family of small noncoding RNAs have emerged as targets for diverse elements of cutaneous wound repair, and both miRNA enhancement with mimics or inhibition with antisense oligonucleotides represent tractable approaches for miRNA-directed wound healing. In this review, we focus on miRNA inhibition strategies to stimulate skin repair given advances in chemical modifications to enhance the performance of antisense miRNA (anti-miRs). We first explore miRNAs whose inhibition in keratinocytes promotes keratinocyte migration, an essential part of re-epithelialisation during wound repair. We then focus on miRNAs that can be targeted for inhibition in endothelial cells to promote neovascularisation for wound healing in the context of diabetic mouse models. The picture that emerges is that direct comparisons of different anti-miRNAs modifications are required to establish the most translationally viable options in the chronic wound environment, that direct comparisons of the impact of inhibition of different miRNAs are needed to quantify and rank their relative efficacies in promoting wound repair, and that a standardised human ex vivo model of the diabetic wound is needed to reduce reliance on mouse models that do not necessarily enhance mechanistic understanding of miRNA-targeted wound healing.

Progression in Moyamoya Disease: Clinical Feature, Neuroimaging Evaluation and Treatment

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular disease characterized by progressive stenosis of the arteries of the circle of Willis, with the formation of collateral vascular network at the base of the brain. Its clinical manifestations are complicated. Numerous studies have attempted to clarify the clinical features of MMD, including its epidemiology, genetic characteristics, and pathophysiology. With the development of neuroimaging techniques, various neuroimaging modalities with different advantages have deepened the understanding of MMD in terms of structural, functional, spatial, and temporal dimensions. At present, the main treatment for MMD focuses on neurological protection, cerebral blood flow reconstruction, and neurological rehabilitation, such as pharmacological treatment, surgical revascularization, and cognitive rehabilitation. In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding the clinical features, in the neuroimaging evaluation and treatment of MMD.

New Directions in Therapeutic Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesis in Peripheral Arterial Disease

The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the United States exceeds 10 million people, and PAD is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. PAD is typically caused by atherosclerotic obstructions in the large arteries to the leg(s). The most common clinical consequences of PAD include pain on walking (claudication), impaired functional capacity, pain at rest, and loss of tissue integrity in the distal limbs that may lead to lower extremity amputation. Patients with PAD also have higher than expected rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Despite advances in surgical and endovascular procedures, revascularization procedures may be suboptimal in relieving symptoms, and some patients with PAD cannot be treated because of comorbid conditions. In some cases, relieving obstructive disease in the large conduit arteries does not assure complete limb salvage because of severe microvascular disease. Despite several decades of investigational efforts, medical therapies to improve perfusion to the distal limb are of limited benefit. Whereas recent studies of anticoagulant (eg, rivaroxaban) and intensive lipid lowering (such as PCSK9 [proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9] inhibitors) have reduced major cardiovascular and limb events in PAD populations, chronic ischemia of the limb remains largely resistant to medical therapy. Experimental approaches to improve limb outcomes have included the administration of angiogenic cytokines (either as recombinant protein or as gene therapy) as well as cell therapy. Although early angiogenesis and cell therapy studies were promising, these studies lacked sufficient control groups and larger randomized clinical trials have yet to achieve significant benefit. This review will focus on what has been learned to advance medical revascularization for PAD and how that information might lead to novel approaches for therapeutic angiogenesis and arteriogenesis for PAD.

Mechanisms of action of metformin and its regulatory effect on microRNAs related to angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is rapidly initiated in response to pathological conditions and is a key target for pharmaceutical intervention in various malignancies. Anti-angiogenic therapy has emerged as a potential and effective therapeutic strategy for treating cancer and cardiovascular-related diseases. Metformin, a first-line oral antidiabetic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), not only reduces blood glucose levels and improves insulin sensitivity and exerts cardioprotective effects but also shows benefits against cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and other diverse diseases and regulates angiogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding RNA molecules with a length of approximately 19-25 bases that are widely involved in controlling various human biological processes. A large number of miRNAs are involved in the regulation of cardiovascular cell function and angiogenesis, of which miR-21 not only regulates vascular cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis but also plays an important role in angiogenesis. The relationship between metformin and abnormal miRNA expression has gradually been revealed in the context of numerous diseases and has received increasing attention. This paper reviews the drug-target interactions and drug repositioning events of metformin that influences vascular cells and has benefits on angiogenesis-mediated effects. Furthermore, we use miR-21 as an example to explain the specific molecular mechanism underlying metformin-mediated regulation of the miRNA signaling pathway controlling angiogenesis and vascular protective effects. These findings may provide a new therapeutic target and theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Pre-clinical investigation of STAT3 pathway in bladder cancer: Paving the way for clinical translation

Effective cancer therapy requires identification of signaling networks and investigating their potential role in proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Among molecular pathways, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been of importance due to its involvement in promoting proliferation, and invasion of cancer cells, and mediating chemoresistance. In the present review, our aim is to reveal role of STAT3 pathway in bladder cancer (BC), as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In respect to its tumor-promoting role, STAT3 is able to enhance the growth of BC cells via inhibiting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. STAT3 also contributes to metastasis of BC cells via upregulating of MMP-2 and MMP-9 as well as genes in the EMT pathway. BC cells obtain chemoresistance via STAT3 overexpression and its inhibition paves the way for increasing efficacy of chemotherapy. Different molecular pathways such as KMT1A, EZH2, DAB2IP and non-coding RNAs including microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs can function as upstream mediators of STAT3 that are discussed in this review article.

MicroRNA-mediated autophagy regulation in cancer therapy: The role in chemoresistance/chemosensitivity

Chemoresistance has doubled the effort needed to reach an effective treatment for cancer. Now, scientists should consider molecular pathways and mechanisms involved in chemoresistance to overcome cancer. Autophagy is a "self-digestion" mechanism in which potentially toxic and aged organelles and macromolecules are degraded. Increasing evidence has shown that autophagy possesses dual role in cancer cells (onco-suppressor or oncogene). So, it is vital to identify its role in cancer progression and malignancy. MicroRNAs (miRs) are epigenetic factors capable of modulation of autophagy in cancer cells. In the current review, we emphasize on the relationship between miRs and autophagy in cancer chemotherapy. Besides, we discuss upstream mediators of miR/autophagy axis in cancer chemotherapy including long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, Nrf2 c-Myc, and HIF-1α. At the final section, we provide a discussion about how anti-tumor compounds affect miR/autophagy axis in ensuring chemosensitivity. These topics are described in this review to show how autophagy inhibition/induction can lead to chemosensitivity/chemoresistance, and miRs are considered as key players in these discussions.

Non-coding RNAs regulate angiogenic processes

Angiogenesis has critical roles in numerous physiologic processes during embryonic and adult life such as wound healing and tissue regeneration. However, aberrant angiogenic processes have also been involved in the pathogenesis of several disorders such as cancer and diabetes mellitus. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is implicated in the regulation of this process in several physiologic and pathologic conditions. Notably, several non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to influence angiogenesis through modulation of expression of VEGF or other angiogenic factors. In the current review, we summarize the function and characteristics of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs which regulate angiogenic processes. Understanding the role of these transcripts in the angiogenesis can facilitate design of therapeutic strategies to defeat the pathogenic events during this process especially in the human malignancies. Besides, angiogenesis-related mechanisms can improve tissue regeneration after conditions such as arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction and limb ischemia. Thus, ncRNA-regulated angiogenesis can be involved in the pathogenesis of several disorders.