MiR-140-3p inhibits the cell viability and promotes apoptosis of synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis through targeting sirtuin 3

The role of non-coding RNAs in fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by synovial hyperplasia, and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) constitute the majority of cells in the synovial tissue, playing a crucial role in the onset of RA. Dysregulation of FLSs function is a critical strategy in treating joint damage associated with RA. Non-coding RNAs, a class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins, participate in the development of various diseases. This article aims to review the progress in the study of long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs in FLSs. Non-coding RNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of RA, directly or indirectly regulating FLSs' proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, non-coding RNAs also influence DNA methylation and osteogenic differentiation in FLSs. Therefore, non-coding RNAs hold promise as biomarkers for diagnosing RA. Targeting non-coding RNAs in FLSs locally represents a potential strategy for future therapies in RA.

Small molecule and big function: MicroRNA-mediated apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune condition and chronic inflammatory disease, mostly affecting synovial joints. The complex pathogenesis of RA is supportive of high morbidity, disability, and mortality rates. Pathological changes a common characteristic in RA synovial tissue is attributed to the inadequacy of apoptotic pathways. In that regard, apoptotic pathways have been the center of attention in RA therapeutic approaches. As the regulators in the complex network of apoptosis, microRNAs (miRNAs) are found to be vital modulators in both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways through altering their regulatory genes. Indeed, miRNA, a member of the family of non-coding RNAs, are found to be an important player in not even apoptosis, but proliferation, gene expression, signaling pathways, and angiogenesis. Aberrant expression of miRNAs is implicated in attenuation and/or intensification of various apoptosis routes, resulting in culmination of human diseases including RA. Considering the need for more studies focused on the underlying mechanisms of RA in order to elevate the unsatisfactory clinical treatments, this study is aimed to delineate the importance of apoptosis in the pathophysiology of this disease. As well, this review is focused on the critical role of miRNAs in inducing or inhibiting apoptosis of RA-synovial fibroblasts and fibroblast-like synoviocytes and how this mechanism can be exerted for therapeutic purposes for RA.

Advanced Progress of Histone Deacetylases in Rheumatic Diseases

Rheumatic disease is a disease which is not yet fully clarified to etiology and also involved in a local pathological injury or systemic disease. With the continuous improvement of clinical medical research in recent years, the development process of rheumatic diseases has been gradually elucidated; with the intensely study of epigenetics, it is realized that environmental changes can affect genetics, among which histone acetylation is one of the essential mechanisms in epigenetics. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play an important role in regulating gene expression in various biological processes, including differentiation, development, stress response, and injury. HDACs are involved in a variety of physiological processes and are promising drug targets in various pathological conditions, such as cancer, cardiac and neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, metabolic and immune disorders, and viral and parasitic infections. In this paper, we reviewed the roles of HDACs in rheumatic diseases in terms of their classification and function.

Identification of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network to explore the effects of circRNAs on renal injury in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. At present, the mechanism of non-coding RNA in renal injury in SLE patients is still unclear. A total of 64 DEcircRNAs, 75 DEmiRNAs, and 249 DEmRNAs were identified. We integrated 10 circRNAs, 10 miRNAs, and 88 target mRNAs into a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and obtained 9 hub genes (circ-0000006, miR-766-3p, miR-409-3p, miR-339-3p, miR-331-3p, miR-140-3p, miR-186-5p, miR-149-5p, PSME3). The ROC curve results showed that the diagnostic efficiency of 6 hub miRNA was higher than that of has_circ_0000006 and PSEME3. SsGSEA analysis revealed immune cell composition in SLE and control renal tissues, including 3 types of immune cells up-regulated (gamma delta T cell, effector memory CD4 T cell, central memory CD8 T cell) and 4 types down-regulated (memory B cell, mast cell, macrophage, immature dendritic cell, eosinophil) in SLE patients. In addition, PSME3 was negatively correlated with 3 up-regulated immune cells and positively correlated with 4 down-regulated immune cells in SLE patients. Our study provides a deeper understanding of the circRNA-related competing endogenous RNA regulatory mechanism in the renal injury of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Cells can communicate with each other through extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are membrane-bound structures that transport proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. These structures have been found to mediate cellular differentiation and proliferation apoptosis, as well as inflammatory responses and senescence, among others. The cargo of these vesicles may include immunomodulatory molecules, which can then contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases. By contrast, EVs secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown important immunosuppressive and regenerative properties. Moreover, EVs can be modified and used as drug carriers to precisely deliver therapeutic agents. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence on the roles of EVs in the progression and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), which are important and prevalent joint diseases with a significant global burden.

Exosomal microRNA-140-3p from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells attenuates joint injury of rats with rheumatoid arthritis by silencing SGK1

OBJECTIVE

Over the years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aim to investigate the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs)-derived exosomal miR-140-3p in RA development.

METHODS

Exosomes(exo) were isolated from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs), and this isolation was followed by the transfer of miR-140-3p. RA rat models were constructed by collagen II adjuvant and respectively treated with HUCMSCs-exo or HUCMSCs-exo carrying miR-140-3p mimic/inhibitor, and expression of miR-140-3p and serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) was assessed. Then, RA score and inflammation scoring, fibrosis degree and apoptosis, serum inflammatory response and oxidative stress in joint tissues were determined. The RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) were extracted from rats and identified. Conducted with relative treatment, the migration, proliferation and apoptosis in RASFs were determined.

RESULTS

MiR-140-3p was decreased while SGK1 was increased in RA rats. HUCMSCs-exo or upregulated exosomal miR-140-3p improved pathological changes and suppressed inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis in RA rats, and also constrained and RASF growth. Overexpression of SGK1 reversed the inhibition of RASF growth caused by overexpression of miR-140-3p.

CONCLUSION

Upregulated exosomal miR-140-3p attenuated joint injury of RA rats by silencing SGK1. This research provided further understanding of the role of exosomal miR-140-3p in RA development.

Functional Interactions Between lncRNAs/circRNAs and miRNAs: Insights Into Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that affect synovitis, bone, cartilage, and joint. RA leads to bone and cartilage damage and extra-articular disorders. However, the pathogenesis of RA is still unclear, and the lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment causes severe disability, and ultimately, early death. Accumulating evidence revealed that the regulatory network that includes long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)/circular RNAs (circRNAs), micro RNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNA) plays important roles in regulating the pathological and physiological processes in RA. lncRNAs/circRNAs act as the miRNA sponge and competitively bind to miRNA to regulate the expression mRNA in synovial tissue, FLS, and PBMC, participate in the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and inflammatory response. Thereby providing new strategies for its diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and the potential roles of non-coding RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

Circ_0001947 promotes cell proliferation, invasion, migration and inflammation and inhibits apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes through miR-671-5p/STAT3 axis

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as vital regulators in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to explore the functions and mechanisms of circ_0001947 in RA.

Methods

The expression of circ_0001947, microRNA-671-5p (miR-671-5p) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5′-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry analysis, transwell assay and wound-healing assay were performed to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration. The concentrations of inflammatory factors were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the relationships of circ_0001947, miR-671-5p and STAT3.

Results

Circ_0001947 was upregulated in RA patients and RA-FLSs. Knockdown of circ_0001947 repressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration and inflammatory response and facilitated apoptosis in RA-FLSs. Circ_0001947 served as the sponge for miR-671-5p and the inhibitory effect of circ_0001947 in RA-FLS progression was reversed by miR-671-5p inhibition. STAT3 was the target gene of miR-671-5p. MiR-671-5p overexpression restrained RA-FLS growth, invasion, migration and inflammation and promoted apoptosis, but STAT3 upregulation reversed the impacts.

Conclusion

Circ_0001947 contributed to the progression of RA-FLSs by elevating STAT3 through adsorbing miR-671-5p.

Circ_0001947 is abnormally upregulated in RA synovial tissues and RA-FLSs.

Circ_0001947 silencing inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, migration and inflammatory response and induces apoptosis in RA-FLSs.

Circ_0001947 sponges miR-671-5p, which directly interacts with STAT3.

Circ_0001947 regulates RA-FLS progression via miR-671-5p/STAT3 axis.

miR-653-5p suppresses the viability and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes by targeting FGF2 and inactivation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease. Several studies reported that fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and miRNAs are associated with RA pathogenesis. This study explored the function of miR-653-5p in the regulation of human fibroblast-like synoviocytes-rheumatoid arthritis (HFLS-RA) cells.

Methods

The mRNA and protein levels of genes were measured by RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. MTT, wound healing, and invasion assays were used to evaluate the viability and metastasis of FLSs. Luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were employed to determine the interaction between miR-653-5p and FGF2.

Results

RT-qPCR results demonstrated that miR-653-5p expression was decreased and FGF2 level was increased in synovial tissues and FLSs of RA. Moreover, the viability and metastasis of FLSs were accelerated by miR-653-5p addition, which was restrained by miR-653-5p suppression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that levels of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA were decreased after miR-653-5p addition. Besides, luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays implied that miR-653-5p targeted the 3′-UTR of FGF2. Functional assays showed that FGF2 overexpression neutralized the suppressive effects of miR-653-5p addition on HFLS-RA cell viability, metastasis, and the levels of Rho family proteins. Meanwhile, the levels of β-catenin, cyclin D1, and c-myc were declined by miR-653-5p supplementation, but enhanced by FGF2 addition.

Conclusion

In sum, we manifested that miR-653-5p restrained HFLS-RA cell viability and metastasis via targeting FGF2 and repressing the Wnt/beta-Catenin pathway.

Long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 and its targets, microRNA-21 and microRNA-140, are potential biomarkers of allergic rhinitis

Objective

Long non‐coding RNA growth arrest‐specific 5 (lnc‐GAS5) and its targets (microRNA [miR]‐21 and miR‐140) are involved in the development and progression of allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the correlation of lnc‐GAS5 with miR‐21 and miR‐140 and their associations with disease risk, symptom severity, and Th1/Th2 cytokines in AR remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate this topic.

Methods

In total, 120 patients with AR and 60 controls were recruited. Nasal‐mucosa tissues were collected from all participants. Lnc‐GAS5, its targets (miR‐21 and miR‐140), interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, and IL‐10 were detected by reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Lnc‐GAS5 was elevated, while miR‐21 and miR‐140 was downregulated in AR patients than in controls (p < 0.001). In AR patients, lnc‐GAS5 was negatively correlated with miR‐21 (p < 0.001), miR‐140 (p < 0.001), IFN‐γ (p = 0.019), and IL‐2 (p = 0.039) and positively correlated with IL‐4 (p = 0.004) and IL‐10 (p < 0.001), individual nasal symptom scores (INSSs) for itching, sneezing, and congestion (p < 0.05), and total nasal symptom score (TNSS) (p < 0.001). Moreover, miR‐21 and miR‐140 were negatively correlated with some INSSs, total TNSS score, and IL‐10 and positively correlated with IFN‐γ and IL‐2 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Lnc‐GAS5 is negatively correlated with that of its targets (miR‐21 and miR‐140) in AR; meanwhile, lnc‐GAS5, miR‐21, and miR‐140 are correlated with disease risk, symptom severity, and Th1/Th2 imbalance in AR, suggesting the potential of these biomarkers in the development and progression of AR.

Propofol alleviates neuropathic pain in chronic constriction injury rat models via the microRNA-140-3p/Jagged-1 peptide/Notch signaling pathway

Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve was used to establish neuropathic pain (NP) models in rats. CCI rats were then treated with propofol (Pro) and their paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) were measured. In addition, the expression patterns of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-10 were detected. CCI rats treated with propofol were further injected with antagomiR-140-3p to verify the role of miR-140-3p in propofol's analgesic actions. In addition to confirming the relationship between miR-140-3p and JAG1, the expression patterns of JAG1 itself were detected. Propofol-treated CCI rats were also injected with Ad-JAG1 (adenovirus-packaged JAG1 overexpression vector and Ad-NC) to test the role of JAG1 in propofol's analgesic mechanism of action. Finally, the levels of JAG1 and Notch pathway-related proteins were detected RESULTS: Propofol was found to alleviate NP, including thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical pain threshold. Propofol could also ameliorate neuroinflammation by up-regulating the expression of IL-10 and inhibiting the release of TNF-α and IL-1β. Mechanically, propofol enhanced the amount of miR-140-3p in CCI rats via the regulation of JAG1. Down-regulation of miR-140-3p, or up-regulation of JAG1, could reduce the protective effect of propofol against NP. Propofol inhibited the activation of Notch signaling via miR-140-3p/JAG1 to realize its analgesic effect CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that propofol inhibits inflammatory responses and the Notch signaling pathway via miR-140-3p/JAG1 to alleviate NP. These data provide evidence to support a potential clinical therapy for NP.