Effect of microRNA-21 on the proliferation of human degenerated nucleus pulposus by targeting programmed cell death 4

A multifunctional mitochondria-protective gene delivery platform promote intervertebral disc regeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a deleterious condition driven by localized inflammation and the associated disruption of the normal homeostatic balance between anabolism and catabolism, contributing to progressive functional abnormalities within the nucleus pulposus (NP). Despite our prior evidence demonstrating that a miR-21 inhibitor can have regenerative effects that counteract the progression of IDD, its application for IDD treatment remains limited by the inadequacy of current local delivery systems. Here, an injectable tannic acid (TA)-loaded hydrogel gene delivery system was developed and used for the encapsulation of a multifunctional mitochondria-protecting gene nanocarrier (PHs). This engineered platform was designed for the sustained on-demand delivery of both miR-21 inhibitor and ss-31 (mitochondrial-targeted peptide) constructs to the NP. This prepared hydrogel could be implanted into the intervertebral disc using a minimally invasive approach whereupon it was able to rapidly release TA. Sustained PHs release was then achieved as appropriate through a mechanism mediated by the activity of MMP-2. Following the targeted uptake of PHs by degenerated NP cells, the subsequent release of encapsulated miR-21 inhibitor suppressed apoptotic cell death and modulated the metabolism of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by targeting the Spry1 gene. At the same time, ss-31 was able to target damaged mitochondria and alleviate inflammatory activity via the suppression of mitochondrial ROS-NLRP3-IL-1β/Caspase1 pathway activity. Synergistic ECM regeneration and anti-inflammatory effects were sufficient to provide therapeutic benefits in an in vivo model of IDD. Together, these results thus highlight this hydrogel-based gene delivery platform as a promising novel approach to the treatment of IDD.

MicroRNA-targeting nanomedicines for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration

Low back pain stands as a pervasive global health concern, afflicting almost 80% of adults at some point in their lives with nearly 40% attributable to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). As only symptomatic relief can be offered to patients there is a dire need for innovative treatments.Given the accumulating evidence that multiple microRNAs (miRs) are dysregulated during IVDD, they could have a huge potential against this debilitating condition. The way miRs can profoundly modulate signaling pathways and influence several cellular processes at once is particularly exciting to tackle this multifaceted disorder. However, miR delivery encounters extracellular and intracellular biological barriers. A promising technology to address this challenge is the vectorization of miRs within nanoparticles, providing both protection and enhancing their uptake within the scarce target cells of the degenerated IVD. This comprehensive review presents the diverse spectrum of miRs' connection with IVDD and demonstrates their therapeutic potential when vectorized in nanomedicines.

Research hotspots and trends of microRNAs in intervertebral disc degeneration: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in various pathological processes, such as proliferation, growth, and apoptosis, of intervertebral disc (IVD) cells and play an important role in the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Although some studies have reported the role of miRNAs in IDD, scientific econometric analysis in this field is not available.

OBJECTIVES

We designed this study to describe the current research trends and potential mechanisms associated with the role of miRNAs in IDD and to provide new ideas for future research in this field.

METHODS

We conducted a bibliometric analysis of the publications on the role of miRNAs in IDD included in the Web of Science core collection database to elucidate the current research trends in this field. The potential mechanisms were constructed using the Arrowsmith project.

RESULTS

We found that the number of miRNAs and IDD-related publications increased over the years. China was the most important contributor to research in this field. The top three institutions in terms of number of articles published were Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Xi'an Jiao Tong University. Shanghai Jiao Tong University had the highest number of citations. Experimental and thermal medicine had the maximum number of documents, and Cell promotion had the most citations. The journal with the most mean times cited per study was Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. The author Wang K had the highest number of publications, and Wang HQ had the highest number of citations. These two authors made important contributions to the research in this field. The keyword analysis showed that recent studies have focused on miRNAs regulating nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and proliferation. Moreover, we revealed the potential mechanisms of miRNAs associated with IDD, including miRNAs regulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, mediating cartilage endplate (CEP) degeneration, and participating in inflammatory responses.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the knowledge map of miRNAs and IDD-related research through bibliometric analysis and elucidated the current research status and hotspots in this field. The mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate the apoptosis and proliferation of degenerated IVDs, promote ECM degradation, mediate CEP degeneration, and participate in inflammatory responses should be explored in further studies.

Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) causes a variety of signs and symptoms, such as low back pain (LBP), intervertebral disc herniation, and spinal stenosis, which contribute to high social and economic costs. IDD results from many factors, including genetic factors, aging, mechanical injury, malnutrition, and so on. The pathological changes of IDD are mainly composed of the senescence and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), the progressive degeneration of extracellular matrix (ECM), the fibrosis of annulus fibrosus (AF), and the inflammatory response. At present, IDD can be treated by conservative treatment and surgical treatment based on patients' symptoms. However, all of these can only release the pain but cannot reverse IDD and reconstruct the mechanical function of the spine. The latest research is moving towards the field of biotherapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are regard as the potential therapy of IDD because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into a variety of tissues. Moreover, the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are found to regulate many vital processes in IDD. There have been many successes in the in vitro and animal studies of using biotherapy to treat IDD, but how to transform the experimental data to real therapy which can apply to humans is still a challenge. This article mainly reviews the treatment strategies and research progress of IDD and indicates that there are many problems that need to be solved if the new biotherapy is to be applied to clinical treatment of IDD. This will provide reference and guidance for clinical treatment and research direction of IDD.

Interplay Between Non-Coding RNAs and Programmed Cell Death Proteins

Programmed cell death (PDCD) family of proteins includes at least 12 members, function of seven of them being more investigated. These members are PDCD1, PDCD2, PDCD4, PDCD5, PDCD6, PDCD7 and PDCD10. Consistent with the important roles of these proteins in the regulation of apoptosis, dysregulation of PDCDs is associated with diverse disorders ranging from intervertebral disc degeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, immune thrombocytopenia, type 1 diabetes, congenital hypothyroidism, Alzheimer’s disease to different types of cancers. More recently, the interaction between non-coding RNAs and different members of PDCD family is being discovered. In the current study, we described the functional interactions between PDCDs and two classes of non-coding RNAs, namely microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). miR-21 and miR-183 are two miRNAs whose interactions with PDCDs have been assessed in different contexts. The lncRNAs interaction with PDCDs is mainly assessed in the context of neoplasia indicating the role of MALAT1, MEG3, SNHG14 and LINC00473 in this process.

Preliminary construction of a regulatory network of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of nucleus pulposus degeneration - a review based on data mining

In this study, we attempted to further collate existing transcriptome sequencing (mRNA-Seq) data by applying data mining and screening intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD)-related miRNAs. At the same time, combined with published articles, the miRNAs that have been screened out were further excluded, and only the miRNAs confirmed by the reported studies were retained and reviewed. We obtained 12 pro-IVDD miRNAs and ten anti-IVDD miRNAs using the above screening process, involving 33 literature sources. By reviewing and summarizing the above studies, we preliminarily constructed the regulatory network of miRNA in the pathogenesis of IVDD. This regulatory network comprises many gaps and potential miRNA interactions, and these points may be the breakthrough points for further IVDD-related research. This new review approach can also provide a reference for the mechanistic studies of other diseases.

miR-149 Alleviates Ox-LDL-Induced Endothelial Cell Injury by Promoting Autophagy through Akt/mTOR Pathway

Background

Atherosclerosis is a chronic process that takes place in the vascular wall and causes various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Micro-RNA-149 (miR-149) mediates many physiological and pathological processes, including atherosclerosis. However, it is unclear about the roles of miR-149 in endothelial injury. Here, we explored the protective effect and related mechanism of miR-149 in endothelial cells induced with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).

Methods

Human endothelial cell lines (HUVECs) were exposed to ox-LDL to induce endothelial injury. Cell viability was determined by the CCK-8 assay. Autophagy was detected by immunofluorescence. RT-qPCR and western blot were carried out to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of Akt and mTOR.

Results

The miR-149 level in HUVECs was reduced by ox-LDL (100 μg/mL) incubation in a time-dependent manner. miR-149-mimic transfection markedly protected HUVECs from ox-LDL-induced injury, with increased cell viability and reduced caspase-3 activity. miR-149 mimics enhanced HUVEC autophagy, which was induced initially by ox-LDL. miR-149 mimics also markedly downregulated the expression of Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and p-mTOR in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. The miR-149-induced protection against HUVECs injury could be reversed by cotreatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor) or insulin (an activator of Akt/mTOR pathway).

Conclusions

miR-149 prevents ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury by enhancing autophagy via increasing Akt and mTOR expressions.

Role of microRNAs in intervertebral disc degeneration (Review)

The incidence of lower back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is gradually increasing. IDD not only affects the quality of life of the patients, but also poses a major socioeconomic burden. There is currently no optimal method for delaying or reversing IDD, mainly due to its unknown pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) participate in the development of a number of diseases, including IDD. Abnormal expression of miRNAs in the intervertebral disc is implicated in various pathological processes underlying the development of IDD, including nucleus pulposus (NP) cell (NPC) proliferation, NPC apoptosis, extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation and cartilaginous endplate changes, among others. The focus of the present review was the advances in research on the involvement of miRNAs in the mechanism underlying IDD. Further research is expected to identify markers for early diagnosis of IDD and new targets for delaying or reversing IDD.

Emerging evidence on noncoding-RNA regulatory machinery in intervertebral disc degeneration: a narrative review

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the most common cause of low-back pain. Accumulating evidence indicates that the expression profiling of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), are different between intervertebral disc tissues obtained from healthy individuals and patients with IDD. However, the roles of ncRNAs in IDD are still unclear until now. In this review, we summarize the studies concerning ncRNA interactions and regulatory functions in IDD. Apoptosis, aberrant proliferation, extracellular matrix degradation, and inflammatory abnormality are tetrad fundamental pathologic phenotypes in IDD. We demonstrated that ncRNAs are playing vital roles in apoptosis, proliferation, ECM degeneration, and inflammation process of IDD. The ncRNAs participate in underlying mechanisms of IDD in different ways. MiRNAs downregulate target genes’ expression by directly binding to the 3′-untranslated region of mRNAs. CircRNAs and lncRNAs act as sponges or competing endogenous RNAs by competitively binding to miRNAs and regulating the expression of mRNAs. The lncRNAs, circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs widely crosstalk and form complex regulatory networks in the degenerative processes. The current review presents novel insights into the pathogenesis of IDD and potentially sheds light on the therapeutics in the future.

A Bioinformatic Analysis of MicroRNAs' Role in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Objectives The aim of our study was to ascertain the underlying role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Design Bioinformatic analysis from multiple databases. Methods Studies of the association of miRNAs and IDD were identified in multiple electronic databases. All potential studies were assessed by the same inclusion and exclusion criteria. We recorded whether miRNA expression was commonly increased or suppressed in the intervertebral disc tissues and cells of IDD subjects. We used String to identify biological process and cellular component pathways of differentially expressed genes. Results We included fifty-seven articles from 1,277 records in this study. This report identified 40 different dysregulated miRNAs in 53 studies, including studies examining cell apoptosis (26 studies, 49.06%), cell proliferation (15 studies, 28.3%), extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation (10 studies, 18.86%), and inflammation (five studies, 9.43%) in IDD patients. Three upregulated miRNAs (miR-19b, miR-32, miR-130b) and three downregulated miRNAs (miR-31, miR-124a, miR-127-5p) were considered common miRNAs in IDD tissues. The top three biological process pathways for upregulated miRNAs were positive regulation of biological process, nervous system development, and negative regulation of biological process, and the top three biological process pathways for downregulated miRNAs were negative regulation of gene expression, intracellular signal transduction, and negative regulation of biological process. Conclusions This study revealed that miRNAs could be novel targets for preventing IDD and treating patients with IDD by regulating their target genes. These results provide valuable information for medical professionals, IDD patients, and health care policy makers.

Cell Senescence: A Nonnegligible Cell State under Survival Stress in Pathology of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

The intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) with increasing aging mainly manifests as low back pain (LBP) accompanied with a loss of physical ability. These pathological processes can be preliminarily interpreted as a series of changes at cellular level. In addition to cell death, disc cells enter into the stagnation with dysfunction and deteriorate tissue microenvironment in degenerative discs, which is recognized as cell senescence. During aging, many intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been proved to have strong connections with these cellular senescence phenomena. Growing evidences of these connections require us to gather up critical cues from potential risk factors to pathogenesis and relative interventions for retarding cell senescence and attenuating degenerative changes. In this paper, we try to clarify another important cell state apart from cell death in IDD and discuss senescence-associated changes in cells and extracellular microenvironment. Then, we emphasize the role of oxidative stress and epigenomic perturbations in linking risk factors to cell senescence in the onset of IDD. Further, we summarize the current interventions targeting senescent cells that may exert the benefits of antidegeneration in IDD.

miR-573 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting Bax in nucleus pulposus cells

Background

MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The expression and potential mechanism of miR-573 in human nucleus pulposus (NP) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-573 in IDD.

Methods

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was applied to examine the expression of miR-573 and Bax in idiopathic scoliosis tissues and IDD tissues. Human NP cells were employed for analysis. Moreover, the proliferation and apoptosis of NP cells were detected using MTT and flow cytometry assay respectively. The expression levels of Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, caspase-3 and caspase-9 in degenerative NP cells were measured by Western blotting assay. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the relationship between miR-573 and Bax.

Results

The results revealed that the mRNA expression level of miR-573 was down-regulated whereas Bax was up-regulated notably in degenerative NP cells. In addition, overexpression of miR-573 increased cell viability remarkably, coupled with inhibition of cell apoptosis. The expression level of Bcl-2 was increased while cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 expression levels were decreased in miR-573 overexpression NP cells. Additionally, the bioinformatics analysis underscored that Bax was a direct target gene of miR-573.

Conclusion

These results suggest that overexpression of miR-573 inhibited NP cell apoptosis by down-regulating Bax, which proved to be a novel effective strategy for IDD therapies.

Inhibition of miR-21-5p suppresses high glucose-induced proliferation and angiogenesis of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells by the regulation of AKT and ERK pathways via maspin

The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of miR-21-5p in angiogenesis of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). HRMECs were incubated with 5 mM glucose, 30 mM glucose or 30 mM mannitol for 24 h, 48 h or 72 h. Then, HRMECs exposed to 30 mM glucose were transfected with miR-21-5p inhibitor. We found that high glucose increased the expression of miR-21-5p, VEGF, VEGFR2 and cell proliferation activity. Inhibition of miR-21-5p reduced high glucose-induced proliferation, migration, tube formation of HRMECs, and reversed the decreased expression of maspin as well as the abnormal activation of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways. Down-regulation of maspin by siRNA significantly increased the activities of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways. In conclusion, inhibition of miR-21-5p could suppress high glucose-induced proliferation and angiogenesis of HRMECs, and these effects may partly dependent on the regulation of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways via its target protein maspin.

MicroRNA-494 promotes apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation in degenerative human nucleus pulposus cells

PURPOSE

This study investigated the expression and function of the microRNA-494 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

RESULTS

MicroRNA-494 expression was upregulated during IDD progression; its overexpression increased the expression of ECM catabolic factors such as matrix metalloproteinase and A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif in NP cells while decreasing that of anabolic genes such as type II collagen and aggrecan; it also induced the apoptosis of NP cells, as determined by flow cytometry. These effects were reversed by microRNA-494 inhibitor treatment. SOX9 was identified as a target of negative regulation by microRNA-494. Promoter hypomethylation and NF-κB activation were associated with microRNA-494 upregulation in IDD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MicroRNA-494 expression in degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of microRNA-494 on extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism and NP cell apoptosis was evaluated by transfection of microRNA-494 mimic or inhibitor. The regulation of SRY-related high mobility group box (SOX)9 expression by microRNA-494 was assessed with the luciferase reporter assay, and the methylation status of the microRNA-494 promoter was evaluated by methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing PCR. The role of activated nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the regulation of microRNA-494 expression was evaluated using specific inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

MicroRNA-494 promotes ECM degradation and apoptosis of degenerative human NP cells by directly targeting SOX9.

Evaluation of miRNA-196a2 and apoptosis-related target genes: ANXA1, DFFA and PDCD4 expression in gastrointestinal cancer patients: A pilot study

Previous reports have suggested the significant association of miRNAs aberrant expression with tumor initiation, progression and metastasis in cancer, including gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The current preliminary study aimed to evaluate the relative expression levels of miR-196a2 and three of its selected apoptosis-related targets; ANXA1, DFFA and PDCD4 in a sample of GI cancer patients. Quantitative real-time PCR for miR-196a2 and its selected mRNA targets, as well as immunohistochemical assay for annexin A1 protein expression were detected in 58 tissues with different GI cancer samples. In addition, correlation with the clinicopathological features and in silico network analysis of the selected molecular markers were analyzed. Stratified analyses by cancer site revealed elevated levels of miR-196a2 and low expression of the selected target genes. Annexin protein expression was positively correlated with its gene expression profile. In colorectal cancer, miR-196a over-expression was negatively correlated with annexin A1 protein expression (r = -0.738, p < 0.001), and both were indicators of unfavorable prognosis in terms of poor differentiation, larger tumor size, and advanced clinical stage. Taken together, aberrant expression of miR-196a2 and the selected apoptosis-related biomarkers might be involved in GI cancer development and progression and could have potential diagnostic and prognostic roles in these types of cancer; particularly colorectal cancer, provided the results experimentally validated and confirmed in larger multi-center studies.

Mechanism of microRNA-21 regulating IL-6 inflammatory response and cell autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration

This study investigated the mechanism of microRNA-21 in regulating IL-6 inflammatory response and cell autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration. A total of 10 patients with lumbar disc herniation accompanied by nerve root pain (observation group) and 10 patients with lumbar burst fractures (control group) were selected. The nucleus pulposus tissues of the lesion were obtained during operation for cell culture. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression of microRNA-21. The ELISA method was used to detect the levels of IL-6, and type II collagen (Col II). Aggrecan and western blotting was used to detect autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II/-I. As a result, the levels of microRNA-21 and IL-6 in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, but the levels of Col II and aggrecan were significantly lower than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of ATG7 and LC3-II/-I in the observation group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion, the expression of microRNA-21 is abnormally high in the nerve root pain of the lumbar intervertebral disc, which can increase the IL-6 inflammatory response and reduce the capacity of cell autophagy.

The PI3K/Akt pathway: a critical player in intervertebral disc degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is thought to be the primary cause of low back pain, a severe public health problem worldwide. Current therapy for IDD aims to alleviate the symptoms and does not target the underlying pathological alternations within the disc. Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway protects against IDD, which is attributed to increase of ECM content, prevention of cell apoptosis, facilitation of cell proliferation, induction or prevention of cell autophagy, alleviation of oxidative damage, and adaptation of hypoxic microenvironment. In the current review, we summarize recent progression on activation and negative regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and highlight its impact on IDD. Targeting this pathway could become an attractive therapeutic strategy for IDD in the near future.