Specific Blood RNA Profiles in Individuals with Acute Spinal Cord Injury as Compared with Trauma Controls

The identification of biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease using a systems biology approach based on lncRNA-circRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA networks

In addition to being the most prevalent form of neurodegeneration among the elderly, AD is a devastating multifactorial disease. Currently, treatments address only its symptoms. Several clinical studies have shown that the disease begins to manifest decades before the first symptoms appear, indicating that studying early changes is crucial to improving early diagnosis and discovering novel treatments. Our study used bioinformatics and systems biology to identify biomarkers in AD that could be used for diagnosis and prognosis. The procedure was performed on data from the GEO database, and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed. Then, we set up a network of interactions between proteins. Several miRNA prediction tools including miRDB, miRWalk, and TargetScan were used. The ceRNA network led to the identification of eight mRNAs, four circRNAs, seven miRNAs, and seven lncRNAs. Multiple mechanisms, including the cell cycle and DNA replication, have been linked to the promotion of AD development by the ceRNA network. By using the ceRNA network, it should be possible to extract prospective biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of AD. It is possible that the processes involved in DNA cell cycle and the replication of DNA contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

(+)-Catechins Play a Protective Role in Diabetic Kidney Disease by Alleviating EMT through Multiple Pathways

SCOPE

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a complication of diabetes mellitus, is becoming a significant global health concern, with no complete cure currently available. Tea is regarded as an essential component of a balanced diet and contains (+)-Catechin (CE), which exert a range of pharmacological effects. Consequently, CE may be a potential treatment for DN. The objective of this study is to examine the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of CE on DN, with a particular focus on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which plays a pivotal role in regulating DN.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study db/db mice are treated with catechins. The results demonstrate that CE reduces obesity and hyperglycemia, improves renal dysfunction and morphological changes in diabetic mice, and inhibits the development of DN through the RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway. Among them differentially expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) results, those related to EMT, including Cav1, grem2, macrod2, and kap, are identified. To further validate the results, the same experiments are performed on HK-2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The research results offer novel perspectives by emphasizing the anti-inflammatory properties of CE and their potential role in mitigating DN through the regulation of EMT-related genes such as RAGE, Cav1, grem2, macrod2, and kap.

Comprehensive Analysis Reveals the Potential Roles of CDKN3 in Pancancer and Verification in Endometrial Cancer

Background

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) has been studied in many cancers. However, the comprehensive and systematic pancancer analysis of CDKN3 genes is still lacking.

Methods

Data were downloaded from online databases. R was used for analysis of the differential expression and gene alteration of CDKN3 and of the associations between CDKN3 expression and survival, signaling pathways, and drug sensitivity. Clinical samples and in vitro experiments were selected for verification.

Results

CDKN3 expression was higher in most types of cancers, and this phenotype was significantly correlated with poor survival. CDKN3 showed gene alterations and copy number alterations in many cancers and associated with some immune-related pathways and factors. Drug sensitivity analysis elucidated that CDKN3 could be a useful marker for therapy selection. Clinical samples elucidated CDKN3 expressed high in endometrial cancer tissue. In vitro studies showed that CDKN3 induced pro-tumor effect in immune environment and facilitated endometrial cancer cell proliferation and G1/S phase transition.

Conclusion

CDKN3 has been shown to be highly expressed in most types of cancers and promoted cancer cell progression. CDKN3 may serve as a novel marker in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction in future.