Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote osteogenic differentiation of lipopolysaccharide-induced human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via ANRIL/miR-125a/APC axis

Emerging Role of miRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Periodontitis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to participate in the pathogenesis of several immune-related conditions through the modulation of the expression of cytokine coding genes and other molecules that affect the activity of the immune system. Periodontitis is an example of these conditions associated with the dysregulation of several miRNAs. Several miRNAs such as let-7 family, miR-125, miR-378, miR-543, miR-302, miR-214, miR-200, miR-146, miR-142, miR-30 and miR-21 have been shown to be dysregulated in patients with periodontitis. miR-146 is the most assessed miRNA in these patients, which is up-regulated in most studies in patients with periodontitis. In the present review, we describe the impact of miRNAs dysregulation on the pathoetiology of periodontitis.

Tracheal replacement with aortic grafts: Bench to clinical practice

Tracheal reconstruction following extensive resection for malignant or benign lesions remains a major challenge in thoracic surgery. Numerous studies have attempted to identify the optimal tracheal replacement with different biological or prosthetic materials, such as various homologous and autologous tissues, with no encouraging outcomes. Recently, a few clinical studies reported attaining favorable outcomes using in vitro or stem cell-based airway engineering and also with tracheal allograft implantation following heterotopic revascularization. However, none of the relevant studies offered a standardized technology for airway replacement. In 1997, a novel approach to airway reconstruction was proposed, which involved using aortic grafts as the biological matrix. Studies on animal models reported achieving in-vivo cartilage and epithelial regeneration using this approach. These encouraging results inspired the subsequent application of cryopreserved aortic allografts in humans for the first time. Cryopreserved aortic allografts offered further advantages, such as easy availability in tissue banks and no requirement for immunosuppressive treatments. Currently, stented aortic matrix-based airway replacement has emerged as a standard approach, and its effectiveness was also verified in the recently reported TRITON-01 study. In this context, the present review aims to summarize the current status of the application of aortic grafts in tracheal replacement, including the latest advancements in experimental and clinical practice.

Research progress on the regulation of bone marrow stem cells by noncoding RNAs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common spinal deformity in young women, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. The primary pathogenic factors contributing to its development include genetics, abnormal bone metabolism, and endocrine factors. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AIS by regulating its occurrence and progression. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are also involved in the pathogenesis of AIS, and their role in regulating BMSCs in patients with AIS requires further evaluation. In this review, we discuss the relevant literature regarding the osteogenic, chondrogenic, and lipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The corresponding mechanisms of ncRNA-mediated BMSC regulation in patients with AIS, recent advancements in AIS and ncRNA research, and the importance of ncRNA translation profiling and multiomics are highlighted.

PF127 Hydrogel-Based Delivery of Exosomal CTNNB1 from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induces Osteogenic Differentiation during the Repair of Alveolar Bone Defects

Pluronic F127 (PF127) hydrogel has been highlighted as a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration, but the specific molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Herein, we addressed this issue in a temperature-responsive PF127 hydrogel loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived exosomes (Exos) (PF127 hydrogel@BMSC-Exos) during alveolar bone regeneration. Genes enriched in BMSC-Exos and upregulated during the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and their downstream regulators were predicted by bioinformatics analyses. CTNNB1 was predicted to be the key gene of BMSC-Exos in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, during which miR-146a-5p, IRAK1, and TRAF6 might be the downstream factors. Osteogenic differentiation was induced in BMSCs, in which ectopic expression of CTNNB1 was introduced and from which Exos were isolated. The CTNNB1-enriched PF127 hydrogel@BMSC-Exos were constructed and implanted into in vivo rat models of alveolar bone defects. In vitro experiment data showed that PF127 hydrogel@BMSC-Exos efficiently delivered CTNNB1 to BMSCs, which subsequently promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, as evidenced by enhanced ALP staining intensity and activity, extracellular matrix mineralization (p < 0.05), and upregulated RUNX2 and OCN expression (p < 0.05). Functional experiments were conducted to examine the relationships among CTNNB1, microRNA (miR)-146a-5p, and IRAK1 and TRAF6. Mechanistically, CTNNB1 activated miR-146a-5p transcription to downregulate IRAK1 and TRAF6 (p < 0.05), which induced the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and facilitated alveolar bone regeneration in rats (increased new bone formation and elevated BV/TV ratio and BMD, all with p < 0.05). Collectively, CTNNB1-containing PF127 hydrogel@BMSC-Exos promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by regulating the miR-146a-5p/IRAK1/TRAF6 axis, thus inducing the repair of alveolar bone defects in rats.

Analysis of circRNAs profile in TNF-α treated DPSC

Background

Pulpitis often are characterized as sustained inflammation and impaired pulp self-repair. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the development of inflammation, but their influence in pulpitis is still unidentified, which was examined in our research.

Methods

In this study, TNF-α (20 ng/mL) was used to treat DPSCs, then MTS identified cell proliferation. The circRNAs profile in DPSCs with or without TNF-α treatment was evaluated using RNA sequencing and subsequently by bioinformatics analysis. After that, the circular structure was assessed using agarose gel electrophoresis, followed by Sanger sequencing. And the circRNAs expression was ratified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in cell and tissues samples. Additionally, the plausible mechanism of circRNAs was envisaged, and the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA linkage was plotted using Cytoscape.

Results

The treatment of TNF-α inhibited cell proliferation capabilities in DPSCs, which also made 1195 circRNA expressions undergo significant alterations. Among these changes, 11 circRNAs associated with inflammation were chosen for circular structure verification, and only seven circRNAs (hsa_circ_0001658, hsa_circ_0001978, hsa_circ_0003910, hsa_circ_0004314, hsa_circ_0004417, hsa_circ_0035915, and hsa_circ_0002545) had circular structure. Additionally, five circRNAs expressions (hsa_circ_0001978, hsa_circ_0003910, hsa_circ_0004314, hsa_circ_0004417, and hsa_circ_0035915) had significantly altered between with or without TNF-α treated DPSCs. Furthermore, hsa_circ_0001978 and hsa_circ_0004417 were increased in patients suffering from pulpitis. Furthermore, their ceRNA linkage and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis suggested that these two circRNAs may participate in the inflammation development of pulpitis via mitogen-activated protein kinase and the Wnt signaling pathway.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the circRNAs profile was altered in TNF-α treated DPSCs. Also, hsa_circ_0001978 and hsa_circ_0004417 may be involved in the inflammation progress of pulpitis. These outcomes provided the latest information for additional research on pulpitis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02267-2.

Long non-coding RNA ZFY-AS1 represses periodontitis tissue inflammation and oxidative damage via modulating microRNA-129-5p/DEAD-Box helicase 3 X-linked axis

A large number of studies have manifested long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is involved in the modulation of the development of periodontitis, but the specific mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to explore the biological function and latent molecular mechanism of lncZFY-AS1 in periodontitis. The results clarified lncZFY-AS1 and DEAD-Box Helicase 3 X-Linked (DDX3X) were up-regulated, but microRNA (miR)-129-5p was down-regulated in periodontitis. Knockdown of lncZFY-AS2 or overexpression of miR-129-5p decreased macrophage infiltration and periodontal membrane cell apoptosis, increased cell viability, repressed inflammatory factors and nuclear factor kappa B activation, reduced oxidative stress, but promoted nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 expression. LncZFY-AS1 elevation further aggravated periodontitis inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. LncZFY competitively adsorbed miR-129-5p to mediate DDX3X expression. Knockdown lncZFY’s improvement effect on periodontitis was reversed by depressive miR-129-5p or enhancive DDX3X. In conclusion, these data suggest lncZFY-AS1 promotes inflammatory injury and oxidative stress in periodontitis by competitively binding to miR-129-5p and mediating DDX3X expression. LncZFY-AS1/miR-129-5p/DDX3X may serve as a novel molecular target for treatment of periodontitis in the future.

EZH2 Regulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Periodontal Ligament Stem Cell Proliferation and Osteogenesis through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway

Background

Periodontitis induced by bacteria especially Gram-negative bacteria is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease worldwide. Emerging evidence supported that EZH2 plays a significant role in the inflammatory response of periodontal tissues. However, little information is available regarding the underlying mechanism of EZH2 in periodontitis. This study is aimed at determining the potential role and underlying mechanism of EZH2 in periodontitis.

Methods

The protein levels of EZH2, H3K27ME, p-p65, p-IKB, TLR4, MyD88, Runx2, and OCN were examined by western blot assay. Proliferation was evaluated by CCK8 assay. The levels of TNFα, IL1β, and IL6 were detected by ELISA assay. Migration was detected by wound healing assay. The distribution of p65 was detected by immunofluorescence. The formation of mineralized nodules was analyzed using alizarin red staining.

Results

LPS stimulation significantly promoted EZH2 and H3K27me3 expression in primary human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Targeting EZH2 prevented LPS-induced upregulation of the inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, EZH2 knockdown attenuated the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling to facilitate PDLSC osteogenesis.

Conclusions

Modulation of the NF-κB pathway through the inhibition of EZH2 may offer a new perspective on the treatment of chronic apical periodontitis.

The roles of ANRIL polymorphisms in periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential role of ANRIL polymorphisms in susceptibility to periodontitis.

METHODS

The authors searched Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to April 2021 to identify all published studies without any language restriction on the association between ANRIL and periodontitis. A meta-analysis of all ANRIL variants replicated by three or more studies was performed by testing multiple genetic models of association. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate associations. Tests for sensitivity and publication bias were performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-two variants in the ANRIL gene were examined for their potential association with the risk of periodontitis. However, only 4 (rs1333048, rs1333042, rs2891168, rs496892) are replicated at least three or more studies. The ANRIL rs1333048 was the most replicated polymorphisms with five articles, seven different populations comprising of 1331 cases, and 2624 controls. The pooled overall analysis showed that rs1333048, rs1333042, rs2891168, and rs496892 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to periodontitis in the whole population in allele contrast and dominant models. Moreover, similar to the overall analysis, rs1333048 polymorphism showed a significant association with grade C periodontitis (known as aggressive periodontitis in 1999 classification) in allele contrast (OR = 1.16) and dominant models (1.19). Interestingly, subgroup analysis also showed rs1333048 polymorphism might influence predisposition to a slowly progressive form of periodontitis (known as chronic periodontitis in 1999 classification).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the ANRIL rs1333048, rs1333042, rs2891168, and rs496892 polymorphisms might influence predisposition to periodontitis, particularly in Caucasians.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

ANRIL gene may represent a potential risk marker for periodontitis.

Long noncoding RNA GAS8-AS1: A novel biomarker in human diseases

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a group of ncRNAs with more than 200 nucleotides. These RNAs can specifically regulate gene expression at both the transcriptional and the post-transcriptional levels, and increasing evidence indicates that they play vital roles in a variety of disease-related cellular processes. The lncRNA GAS8 antisense RNA 1 (GAS8-AS1, also known as C16orf3) is located in the second intron of GAS8 and has been reported to be both abnormally expressed in several diseases and closely correlated with many clinical characteristics. GAS8-AS1 has been shown to affect many biological functions, including cell proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and autophagy using several signaling pathways. In this review, we have summarized current studies on GAS8-AS1 roles in disease and discuss its potential clinical utility. GAS8-AS1 may be a promising biomarker for both diagnoses and prognoses, and a novel target for many disease therapies.