The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network in mural granulosa cells of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: an analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus data

Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network and key genes in granulosa cells of patients with biochemical primary ovarian insufficiency

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common condition leading to the pathological decline of ovarian function in women of reproductive age, resulting in amenorrhea, hypogonadism, and infertility. Biochemical premature ovarian insufficiency (bPOI) is an intermediate stage in the pathogenesis of POI in which the fertility of patients has been reduced. Previous studies suggest that granulosa cells (GCs) play an essential role in the pathogenesis of POI, but their pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. To further explore the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of GCs in POI, we constructed a molecular long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) network using GC expression data collected from biochemical premature ovarian failure (bPOI) patients in the GEO database. We discovered that the GCs of bPOI patients had differential expression of 131 mRNAs, 191 lncRNAs, and 28 miRNAs. By systematic network analysis, we identified six key genes, including SRSF1, PDIA5, NEURL1B, UNK, CELF2, and CFL2, and five hub miRNAs, namely hsa-miR-27a-3p, hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miR-129-5p, and hsa-miR-17-5p, and the results suggest that the expression of these key genes may be regulated by two hub miRNAs, hsa-miR-27a-3p and hsa-miR-17-5p. Additionally, a POI model in vitro was created to confirm the expression of a few important genes. In this study, we discovered a unique lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on the ceRNA mechanism in bPOI for the first time, and we screened important associated molecules, providing a partial theoretical foundation to better understand the pathogenesis of POI.

Signaling pathways and targeted therapeutic strategies for polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. Although promising strides have been made in the field of PCOS over the past decades, the distinct etiologies of this syndrome are not fully elucidated. Prenatal factors, genetic variation, epigenetic mechanisms, unhealthy lifestyles, and environmental toxins all contribute to the development of this intricate and highly heterogeneous metabolic, endocrine, reproductive, and psychological disorder. Moreover, interactions between androgen excess, insulin resistance, disruption to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis, and obesity only make for a more complex picture. In this review, we investigate and summarize the related molecular mechanisms underlying PCOS pathogenesis from the perspective of the level of signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, TGF-β/Smads, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hippo/YAP. Additionally, this review provides an overview of prospective therapies, such as exosome therapy, gene therapy, and drugs based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and natural compounds. By targeting these aberrant pathways, these interventions primarily alleviate inflammation, insulin resistance, androgen excess, and ovarian fibrosis, which are typical symptoms of PCOS. Overall, we hope that this paper will pave the way for better understanding and management of PCOS in the future.

LncRNA MEG3 regulates ASK1/JNK axis-mediated apoptosis and autophagy via sponging miR-23a in granulosa cells of yak tertiary follicles

Apoptosis and autophagy in granulosa cells (GCs) are highly related to follicular development and atresia. It has also been reported that they are related to LncRNA MEG3, miR-23a and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK-1). However, their relationship to follicular development and the extent to which follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH) can regulate this process remain unknown. Here, we found that ASK1 and JNK were expressed in the GCs of gonadotropin-dependent follicles, and those levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in yak Tertiary follicles compared to that of Secondary follicles and Graafian follicles. Then, the effect of LncRNA MEG3 / miR-23a on apoptosis and autophagy via ASK1/JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) in yak GCs was studied. Overexpressing LncRNA MEG3 reduced miR-23a levels and p-967 protein expression, but enhanced ASK1 and JNK mRNA levels as well as t-ASK1, p-845, t-JNK, and p-JNK proteins levels. And Up-regulation of LncRNA MEG3 promoted apoptosis while attenuating autophagy. The targeting relationship between miR-23a and the binding sites of LncRNA MEG3 and ASK1 was also confirmed with the dual luciferase reporter assay. And, the relationship between LncRNA MEG3 and miR-23a was observed as a negative feedback regulation, and changes in LncRNA MEG3 and miR-23a levels can alter the expression of ASK1/JNK axis in yaks GCs. In addition, FSH (10 μg/mL) or LH (100 μg/mL) ability to reverse the effects of LncRNA MEG3 on miR-23a levels and ASK1/JNK axis-mediated apoptosis and autophagy was verified in yak GCs. This is significantly beneficial for decreasing abnormal follicular atresia for yaks tertiary follicles.

Construction of a competing endogenous RNA network to identify drug targets against polycystic ovary syndrome

STUDY QUESTION

Would the construction of a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network help identify new drug targets for the development of potential therapies for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Both Food and Drug Administartion (FDA)-approved and candidate drugs could be identified by combining bioinformatics approaches with clinical sample analysis based on our established ceRNA network.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Thus far, no effective drugs are available for treating PCOS. ceRNAs play crucial roles in multiple diseases, and some of them are in current use as prognostic biomarkers as well as for chemo-response and drug prediction.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

For the bioinformatics part, five microarrays of human granulosa cells were considered eligible after applying strict screening criteria and were used to construct the ceRNA network for target identification. For population-based validation, samples from 24 women with and without PCOS were collected from January 2021 to July 2021.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

The public data included 27 unaffected women and 25 women with PCOS, according to the Rotterdam criteria proposed in 2003. The limma and RobustRankAggreg R packages were used to identify differentially expressed messenger RNAs and noncoding RNAs. Gene Ontology, Reactome and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Gemomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. A ceRNA network was constructed by integrating the differentially expressed genes and target genes. The population-based validation included human luteinized granulosa cell samples from 12 unaffected women and 12 women with PCOS. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the levels of mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs). Connectivity map and computational model algorithms were implemented to predict therapeutic drugs from the ceRNA network. Additionally, we compared the predicted drugs with known clinical medications in DrugBank.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

A set of 10 mRNAs, 11 miRNAs and 53 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were differentially expressed. Functional enrichment analysis revealed the highest relevance to immune system-related biological processes and signalling pathways, such as cytokine secretion and leucocyte chemotaxis. A ceRNA consisting of two lncRNAs, two miRNAs and five mRNAs was constructed. Through network construction via bioinformatic analysis, we identified some already approved drugs (such as metformin) that could target some molecules in the network as potential drug candidates for PCOS.

LARGE SCALE DATA

Public sequencing data were obtained from GSE34526, GSE84376, GSE102293, GSE106724 and GSE114419, which have been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus database.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Experiments, such as immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assays and animal model studies, are needed to validate the potential targets in the ceRNA network before the identified drug candidates can be tested using cellular and animal model systems.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our findings provide new bioinformatic insight into the possible pathogenesis of PCOS from ceRNA network analysis, which has not been previously studied in the human reproductive field. Our study also reveals some potential drug candidates for the future development of possible therapies against PCOS.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFC2700400) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82001498). The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Exosomal miR-143-3p derived from follicular fluid promotes granulosa cell apoptosis by targeting BMPR1A in polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that occurs in women of reproductive age. Anovulation caused by abnormal follicular development is still the main characteristic of PCOS patients with infertile. Granulosa cell (GC) is an important part of the follicular microenvironment, the dysfunction of which can affect follicular development. Increasing evidence indicates that exosomal miRNAs derived from the follicular fluid (FF) of patients play critical roles during PCOS. However, which follicular fluid-derived exosomal miRNAs play a pivotal role in controlling granulosa cell function and consequently follicular development remain largely unknown, as does the underlying mechanism. Herein, we showed that miR-143-3p is highly expressed in the follicular fluid exosomes of patients with PCOS and can be delivered into granulosa cells. Furthermore, functional experiments showed that translocated miR-143-3p promoted granulosa cell apoptosis, which is important in follicle development. Mechanistically, BMPR1A was identified as a direct target of miR-143-3p. Overexpression of BMPR1A reversed the effects of exosomal miR-143-3p on GC apoptosis and proliferation by activating the Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway. These results demonstrate that miR-143-3p-containing exosomes derived from PCOS follicular fluid promoted granulosa cell apoptosis by targeting BMPR1A and blocking the Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway. Our findings provide a novel mechanism underlying the roles of exosomal-miRNAs in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients and facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for PCOS.

Investigation on the antitumor effects of paeonol against renal cell carcinoma based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common cancer of the urinary system, the current treatments for RCC are unsatisfactory. Paeonol is the main pharmacologically active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) moutan cortex (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) and Paeonia albiflora Pall, and has been used in TCM to treat various diseases including cancer. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of paeonol in RCC have not been investigated yet.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the potential antitumor effects and mechanisms of paeonol on RCC based on network pharmacology and experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacological analysis was performed to predict the potential targets and mechanism of paeonol against RCC. The antitumor effects and the priority targets of paeonol against RCC were further assessed by in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

104 intersection targets shared by paeonol and RCC were collected, 15 hub genes were obtained, among these genes, VEGFA expression was higher in RCC, and the higher expression of IL-6 or lower expression of AKT1, JUN, MAPK1, and MAPK8 were correlated to the shorter overall survival (OS) in RCC patients. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that the genes were mainly enriched in the positive regulation of cell death and apoptosis pathway. In vitro experiments showed that paeonol inhibited 786-O cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted apoptosis. When 786-O cells were treated with paeonol, the expression of Bax increased while Bcl-2 and VEGFA decreased.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that paeonol might play an essential role in RCC by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and invasion through the Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway and VEGFA, providing a theoretical and experimental scientific basis for future investigations of the antitumor effects of paeonol against RCC.