Protein and microRNA biomarkers from lavage, urine, and serum in military personnel evaluated for dyspnea

The Differential Expression Profiles of miRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid From Infants With Asthma and Airway Foreign Bodies

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of miRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in infants with asthma and airway foreign bodies. Between January 2016 and February 2017, 27 infants were included and divided into observation group (infants with asthma, n = 15) and control group (infants with airway foreign bodies, n = 12). The differential expression profiles of miRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c were determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from infants of the 2 groups. The BALF was collected from infants undergoing flexible bronchoscopy. MiRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c increased significantly in infants from observation group as compared with control group (2.72 ± 0.48 vs 1, 8.23 ± 1.64 vs 1, 3.16 ± 0.62 vs 1, respectively). The increased expression of miRNA-let 7a, 7b, and 7c were associated with the asthma of infants.

MicroRNA Profiling in Asthma: Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disorder in which different endotypes contribute to define clinical inflammatory phenotypes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of minute, endogenous 22-25 nt RNA elements that join to particular mRNAs to reduce translation and increase messenger RNA degradation. miRNAs operate in post-transcriptional control and regulate physiological and pathological processes in several illnesses. The purpose of this work is to review and discuss the current knowledge about the function of miRNAs in asthma, focusing particularly on their biological properties, pathophysiologic actions, and possible use as markers and treatments for asthma.

Quantitative cardiac phosphoproteomics profiling during ischemia-reperfusion in an immature swine model

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) results in altered metabolic and molecular responses, and phosphorylation is one of the most noted regulatory mechanisms mediating signaling mechanisms during physiological stresses. To expand our knowledge of the potential phosphoproteomic changes in the myocardium during I/R, we used Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation-based analyses in left ventricular samples obtained from porcine hearts under control or I/R conditions. The data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD006066. We identified 1,896 phosphopeptides within left ventricular control and I/R porcine samples. Significant differential phosphorylation between control and I/R groups was discovered in 111 phosphopeptides from 86 proteins. Analysis of the phosphopeptides using Motif-x identified five motifs: (..R..S..), (..SP..), (..S.S..), (..S…S..), and (..S.T..). Semiquantitative immunoblots confirmed site location and directional changes in phosphorylation for phospholamban and pyruvate dehydrogenase E1, two proteins known to be altered by I/R and identified by this study. Novel phosphorylation sites associated with I/R were also identified. Functional characterization of the phosphopeptides identified by our methodology could expand our understanding of the signaling mechanisms involved during I/R damage in the heart as well as identify new areas to target therapeutic strategies.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation technology to investigate the phosphoproteomic changes that occur in cardiac tissue under ischemia-reperfusion conditions. The results of this study provide an extensive catalog of phosphoproteins, both predicted and novel, associated with ischemia-reperfusion, thereby identifying new pathways for investigation.

Pulmonary microRNA profiling: implications in upper lobe predominant lung disease

Background

Numerous pulmonary diseases manifest with upper lobe predominance including cystic fibrosis, smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and tuberculosis. Zonal hypoxia, characteristic of these pulmonary maladies, and oxygen stress in general is known to exert profound effects on various important aspects of cell biology. Lung macrophages are major participants in the pulmonary innate immune response and regional differences in macrophage responsiveness to hypoxia may contribute in the development of lung disease. MicroRNAs are ubiquitous regulators of human biology and emerging evidence indicates altered microRNA expression modulates respiratory disease processes. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the epigenetic and cellular mechanisms influencing regional differences in lung disease by investigating effect of hypoxia on regional microRNA expression in the lung.

All studies were performed using primary alveolar macrophages (n = 10) or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (n = 16) isolated from human subjects. MicroRNA was assayed via the NanoString nCounter microRNA assay.

Results

Divergent molecular patterns of microRNA expression were observed in alternate lung lobes, specifically noted was disparate expression of miR-93 and miR-4454 in alveolar macrophages along with altered expression of miR-451a and miR-663a in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Gene ontology was used to identify potential downstream targets of divergent microRNAs. Targets include cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, molecules that could have a significant impact on pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.

Conclusions

Our findings show variant regional microRNA expression associated with hypoxia in alveolar macrophages and BAL fluid in the lung—upper vs lower lobe. Future studies should address whether these specific microRNAs may act intracellularly, in a paracrine/endocrine manner to direct the innate immune response or may ultimately be involved in pulmonary host-to-pathogen trans-kingdom cross-talk.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-017-0355-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Molecular Background of miRNA Role in Asthma and COPD: An Updated Insight

Inflammatory airway diseases are a significant health problems requiring new approaches to the existing therapies and addressing fundamental issues. Difficulties in developing effective therapeutic strategies might be caused by lack of understanding of their exact molecular mechanism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of regulators that already revolutionized the view of gene expression regulation. A cumulating number of investigations show a pivotal role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or airway remodeling through the regulation of many pathways involved in their pathogenesis. Expression changes of several miRNAs have also been found to play a role in the development and/or improvement in asthma or COPD. Still, relatively little is known about the role of miRNAs in inflammatory disorders. The microRNA profiles may differ depending on the cell type or antigen-presenting cell. Based on the newest literature, this review discusses the current knowledge concerning miRNA contribution and influence on lung inflammation and chosen inflammatory airway diseases: asthma and COPD.

Role of microRNAs in allergic asthma: present and future

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate gene transcription in response to environmental stressors and other stimuli. A role for miRNAs in inflammation and immunity has been demonstrated and further evidence suggests that miRNAs also play a role in allergic asthma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies investigating the differential expression of miRNAs in biological fluids between asthma patients and controls have been published, as have their role in immune cell subsets. Further development of miRNAs in therapy has been addressed. miRNA-146a has been implicated in autoimmunity and allergic inflammation and miRNA-155 in the development of atopy. Targeting of miRNA-1 and miRNA-145 has been used to inhibit lung inflammation in mouse models of asthma. Although these recent findings need to be confirmed, miRNAs may prove to be useful as potential biomarkers of disease. However, their use as therapeutic targets in the lung remains unclear.

SUMMARY

There may be a potential role for using circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of disease status or response to therapy. The use of miRNAs as asthma therapy remains to be determined.

A systems approach to understanding human rhinovirus and influenza virus infection

Human rhinovirus and influenza virus infections of the upper airway lead to colds and the flu and can trigger exacerbations of lower airway diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets are still needed to differentiate between the cold and the flu, since the clinical course of influenza can be severe while that of rhinovirus is usually more mild. In our investigation of influenza and rhinovirus infection of human respiratory epithelial cells, we used a systems approach to identify the temporally changing patterns of host gene expression from these viruses. After infection of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) with rhinovirus, influenza virus or co-infection with both viruses, we studied the time-course of host gene expression changes over three days. We modeled host responses to these viral infections with time and documented the qualitative and quantitative differences in innate immune activation and regulation.

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Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were infected with rhinovirus (RV16), influenza A virus (H1N1) or both viruses.

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Steady-state RNA was profiled from five biological replicate samples by microarray hybridization at multiple times over three days.

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The changing patterns of key biological processes for each virus or both viruses together were analyzed.

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The data reveal similarities and differences in innate immune responses, cytokine activation, regulation of apoptosis as well as other processes that have implications for host recovery from viral infection.

MicroRNA-144 regulates proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of cells in malignant solitary pulmonary nodule via zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1

AIMS

This study was to investigate the expression of microRNA (miR)-144 in malignant solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) tissues and peripheral blood, as well as the biological function of miR-144 in the occurrence and development of lung cancer.

METHODS

In this study, 39 malignant and 30 benign SPN patients were included. The expression of miR-144 was examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the clinical value of miR-144 in the early diagnosis of malignant SPN. MTT assay was performed to determine A549 cell proliferation and Transwell assay was used to detect changes in A549 cell invasion and migration ability. Flow cytometry was performed to monitor cell apoptosis, while Western blotting assay was used to measure protein expression levels. At last, dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to test whether miR-144 regulates zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) gene expression.

RESULTS

Expression of miR-144 was reduced in patients with malignant SPN. miR-144 had diagnostic value for malignant SPN. Proliferation of A549 cells was inhibited by miR-144. Invasion ability of A549 cells was reduced by miR-144. Apoptosis of A549 cells was promoted by miR-144. miR-144 induced A549 cell apoptosis by targeting ZEB1 protein. miR-144 regulated the expression of ZEB1 by interacting with its 3'-UTR region.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of miR-144 is reduced in malignant SPN tissues and peripheral blood, being of clinical value in the diagnosis of malignant SPN. miR-144 promotes the apoptosis of lung cancer cells, and inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of lung cancer by regulating ZEB1 gene.

Kinetics of microRNA Expression in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Samples

Levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly assessed in biological fluids, for example, in samples obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). "Post-collection kinetics" of miRNA expression levels, however, have not been investigated to date. In these experiments, we analyzed the dynamic expression profile of 5 different miRNAs (miR-17, miR-19b, miR-20b, miR-125a, and miR-223-3p) in BAL within the first 24 h following collection by routine bronchoscopy. miRNAs were quantified 0, 1, 4, 8, and 24 h after collection in samples that were kept at 4 °C or at room temperature. The expression of all five miRNAs was found to remain stable between the first 8 h after collection. 24 h after collection miRNAs faced substantial alterations in their expression profile. These data emphasize that BAL samples intended for further miRNA analysis can be handled at room temperature within the first 8 h after bronchoscopy.