MicroRNA Sequencing Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Depression: Anti-Oxidant and MAOA-Inhibiting Effects of miR-15b-5p and miR-92b-3p through Targeting PTGS1-NF-κB-SP1 Signaling

Synergic Integration of the miRNome, Machine Learning and Bioinformatics for the Identification of Potential Disease-Modifying Agents in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the diverse pathogenetic pathways in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is crucial for improving outcomes. microRNA (miRNA) profiling is a promising strategy for elucidating these mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the pathogenetic pathways linked to OSA through the integration of miRNA profiles, machine learning (ML) and bioinformatics.

METHODS

This multicenter study involved 525 patients with suspected OSA who underwent polysomnography. Plasma miRNAs were quantified via RNA sequencing in the discovery phase, with validation in two subsequent phases using RT-qPCR. Supervised ML feature selection methods and comprehensive bioinformatic analyses were employed. The associations among miRNA targets, OSA and OSA treatment were further explored using publicly available external datasets.

RESULTS

Following the discovery and technical validation phases in a subset of patients with and without confirmed OSA (n=53), eleven miRNAs were identified as candidates for the subsequent feature selection process. These miRNAs were then quantified in the remaining population (n=472). Feature selection methods revealed that the miRNAs let-7d-5p, miR-15a-5p and miR-107 were the most informative of OSA. The predominant mechanisms linked to these miRNAs were closely related to cellular events such as cell death, cell differentiation, extracellular remodeling, autophagy and metabolism. One target of let-7d-5p and miR-15a-5p, the TFDP2 gene, exhibited significant differences in gene expression between subjects with and without OSA across three independent databases.

CONCLUSION

Our study identified three plasma miRNAs that, in conjunction with their target genes, provide new insights into OSA pathogenesis and reveal novel regulators and potential drug targets.

Identifying the toxic mechanisms of emerging electronic contaminations liquid crystal monomers and the construction of a priority control list for graded control

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are identified as emerging organic contaminations with largely unexplored health impacts. To elucidate their toxic mechanisms, support the establishment of environmental discharge and management standards, and promote effective LCMs control, this study constructs a database covering 20,545 potential targets of 1431 LCMs, highlighting 9 key toxic target proteins that disrupt the nervous system and metabolic functions. GO and KEGG pathway analysis suggests LCMs severely affect nervous system, linked to neurodegenerative diseases and mental health disorders, with toxicity variations driven by electronegativity and structural complexity of LCM terminal groups. To achieve tiered control of LCMs, construct toxicity risk control lists for 9 key toxic target proteins, suitable for the graded control of LCMs, management recommendations are provided based on toxicity levels. These lists were validated for reliability and offer reliable toxicity predictions for LCMs. SHAP analysis points to electronic properties, molecular shape, and structural characteristics of LCMs as primary health impact factors. As the first study integrating machine learning with computational toxicology to outline LCMs health impacts, it aims to enhance public understanding of LCM toxicity risks and support the development of environmental standards, effective management of LCM production and emissions, and reduction of public exposure risks.

Exploring Synergistic Inhibition of Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential: Integrated In Silico and In Vitro Analyses of Garcinia mangostana, Curcuma comosa, and Acanthus ebracteatus

Compared with the use of a single herb alone, herb combinations can significantly increase their effectiveness in treating various diseases. The objective of this research was to determine the appropriate proportions of Garcinia mangostana (GM), Curcuma comosa (CC), and Acanthus ebracteatus (AE) to enhance their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The study employed computer modeling (in silico) and laboratory testing (in vitro). The optimal levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were achieved with a ratio of 15 parts GM, 5 parts CC, and 10 parts AE. In contrast, the 10 : 15 : 5 ratio resulted in the highest antioxidant activity, reducing DPPH radicals by 80.33% and ABTS radicals by 92.20%. The ratio had a synergistic effect and was within the safe range, ranging from 82.97 to 147.04 µg/mL. The ratio of 5 : 10 : 15 had the greatest anti-inflammatory effects, with an exceptional activity level of 98.86%. It effectively suppressed 23 genes or proteins, including the prominent NFE2L2 gene, and had a synergistic effect. This combination effectively inhibits inflammation (IC50: 12.05 µg/mL) and is safe for macrophages at concentrations up to 50 µg/mL. These findings emphasize the potential of these herbal mixtures for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory applications.

The common link between sleep apnea syndrome and osteoarthritis: a literature review

Patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) often also suffer from Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS), and many scholars have started to notice this link, although the relationship between the two is still unclear. In this review, we aim to summarize the current literature on these two diseases, integrate evidence of the OA and OSA connection, explore and discuss their potential common mechanisms, and thus identify effective treatment methods for patients with both OA and SAS. Some shared characteristics of the two conditions have been identified, notably aging and obesity as mutual risk factors. Both diseases are associated with various biological processes or molecular pathways, including mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species production, the NF-kB pathway, HIF, IL-6, and IL-8. SAS serves as a risk factor for OA, and conversely, OA may influence the progression of SAS. The effects of OA on SAS are underreported in the literature and require more investigation. To effectively manage these patients, timely intervention for SAS is necessary while treating OA, with weight reduction being a primary requirement, alongside combined treatments such as Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and medications. Additionally, numerous studies in drug development are now aimed at inhibiting or clearing certain molecular pathways, including ROS, NF-KB, IL-6, and IL-8. Improving mitochondrial function might represent a viable new strategy, with further research into mitochondrial updates or transplants being essential.

Obstructive sleep apnea alters microRNA levels: Effects of continuous positive airway pressure

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to cytokine-mediated chronic inflammatory states. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an established therapy for OSA, but its effects on inflammation remain unclear. A recent study from our group identified soluble cytokine receptors altered in OSA patients and modified by CPAP adherence. However, the upstream regulatory pathways responsible for these shifts in proinflammatory cascades with OSA and CPAP therapy remained unknown. Accordingly, this study mapped OSA and CPAP-modulated soluble cytokine receptors to specific microRNAs and then tested the hypothesis that OSA and CPAP adherence shift cytokine-related microRNA expression profiles.

Study Design

Plasma samples were collected from patients with OSA (n=50) at baseline and approximately 90 days after CPAP initiation and compared to referent control subjects (n=10). Patients with OSA were further divided into cohorts defined by adherence vs nonadherence to CPAP therapy. The microRNAs that mapped to soluble cytokine receptors of interest were subjected to quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

At baseline, increased hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-195-5p, hsa-miR-424-5p, hsa-miR-223-3p, and hsa-miR-223-5p were observed in patients with OSA compared to controls (p<0.05). In CPAP adherent patients (n=22), hsa-miR233-3p and hsa-miR233-5p decreased at follow-up (p<0.05) whereas there was no change in miR levels from baseline in non-adherent CPAP patients (n=28). The miRs hsa-miR233-3p and hsa-miR233-5p mapped to both proinflammatory and innate immunity activation; the inflammasome.

Conclusion

A specific set of microRNAs, including hsa-miR233-3p and hsa-miR233-5p, may serve as a marker of inflammatory responses in patients with OSA, and be used to assess attenuation of inflammasome activation by CPAP.

NLRP3/miR-223-3p axis attenuates neuroinflammation induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is mainly characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) with multiple brain injuries. Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is considered the most important factor inducing and maintaining inflammation. However, the role of NLRP3 and its underlying mechanism in CIH-elicited neuroinflammation remains unclear. We constructed an OSA-related CIH in vivo model and assessed the rats' cognitive behavior in the Morris water maze. The combination of miR-223-3p and NLRP3 was confirmed by the TargetScan database, double luciferase reporter gene experiment, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiment. Western blot and ELISA assay were used to analyze the effects of miR-223-3p targeting NLRP3 on the expression of pyroptotic or inflammatory factors in vivo in CIH rats. Severe cognitive impairment was observed in rats at week 6 post-treatment, with increased inflammatory factors in the blood and hippocampus, heightened NLRP3 expression, and low miR-223-3p levels. And the good binding activity of the two was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter and RIP experiments. Next, we found that silencing NLRP3 or overexpression of miR-223-3p in the CIH model could improve cognitive deficits and reduce the level of proinflammatory factors and pyroptosis factors in rats. Finally, based on silencing NLRP3 or overexpression miR-223-3p, we confirmed that there was a regulatory relationship between miR-223-3p and NLRP3. Our results suggested that the NLRP3/ miR-223-3p axis played a role in attenuating CIH-induced neuroinflammation.

Micro-RNA in obstructive sleep apnoea: biomarker of cardiovascular outcome?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a global health problem with important cardiovascular consequences. Risk assessment tools are essential in OSA to identify patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and to achieve a cost-effective clinical management of the disease in the era of precision medicine. The objective is to provide an updated perspective on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OSA as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk.

RECENT FINDINGS

Specific miRNAs have already been associated with patients with OSA and specific cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, myocardial infarction or endothelial dysfunction. Numerous studies have addressed the use of miRNAs to identify the cardiovascular risk associated with OSA, both in patients and in animals with in vivo hypoxia models. Thus, these studies identified profiles of differentially expressed miRNAs in patients with OSA. In addition, the in vitro studies suggest that therapies with miRNA inhibitors that could help reduce cardiovascular risk. Therefore, this review highlights the primary approaches of the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers at the prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic strategy levels.

SUMMARY

Given the heterogeneity of OSA and its cardiovascular consequences, miRNAs have emerged as powerful biomarkers that can help improve the clinical management of OSA and its cardiovascular risk.

Modulation of Small RNA Signatures by Astrocytes on Early Neurodegeneration Stages; Implications for Biomarker Discovery

Diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease (NDD) is complex, therefore simpler, less invasive, more accurate biomarkers are needed. small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) dysregulates in NDDs and sncRNA signatures have been explored for the diagnosis of NDDs, however, the performance of previous biomarkers is still better. Astrocyte dysfunction promotes neurodegeneration and thus derived scnRNA signatures could provide a more precise way to identify of changes related to NDD course and pathogenesis, and it could be useful for the dissection of mechanistic insights operating in NDD. Often sncRNA are transported outside the cell by the action of secreted particles such as extracellular vesicles (EV), which protect sncRNA from degradation. Furthermore, EV associated sncRNA can cross the BBB to be found in easier to obtain peripheral samples, EVs also inherit cell-specific surface markers that can be used for the identification of Astrocyte Derived Extracellular Vesicles (ADEVs) in a peripheral sample. By the study of the sncRNA transported in ADEVs it is possible to identify astrocyte specific sncRNA signatures that could show astrocyte dysfunction in a more simpler manner than previous methods. However, sncRNA signatures in ADEV are not a copy of intracellular transcriptome and methodological aspects such as the yield of sncRNA produced in ADEV or the variable amount of ADEV captured after separation protocols must be considered. Here we review the role as signaling molecules of ADEV derived sncRNA dysregulated in conditions associated with risk of neurodegeneration, providing an explanation of why to choose ADEV for the identification of astrocyte-specific transcriptome. Finally, we discuss possible limitations of this approach and the need to improve the detection limits of sncRNA for the use of ADEV derived sncRNA signatures.

Associated factors of primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with sleep bruxism: A questionnaire study

BACKGROUND

By being aware of the associated factors of primary snoring (PS) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in sleep bruxism (SB) patients, dentists may contribute to the screening and early recognition of SB patients with PS or OSA.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the associated factors of PS and OSA from questionnaire-based data in SB patients.

METHODS

A total of 968 self-reported SB patients (31.6% men; median age 44.5 years) were retrospectively enrolled. Self-reported sleep-related breathing status (viz., no sleep-related breathing condition, PS and OSA) was the dependent variable. Independent variables were questionnaire-based data on demographics, lifestyle, psychological status, pain and sleep.

RESULTS

For PS, no statistically significant associated factor was identified in analyses. For OSA, increased age (OR = 1.04 [1.03-1.06]), male gender (OR = 3.33 [2.17-5.00]), daily alcohol consumption (OR = 1.96 [1.18-3.33]), depression (OR = 1.10 [1.06-1.14]), daytime sleepiness (OR = 2.94 [1.85-4.76]) and high risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; OR = 2.63 [1.52-4.76]) were found to be significant risk factors, while high risk of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain (OR = 0.51 [0.30-0.86]) and chronic pain (OR = 0.73 [0.59-0.90]) were significant protective factors. These results were confirmed in the subsequent network analysis.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this study, no associated factor is identified for PS. For OSA, dentists should keep in mind that increased age, male gender, daily alcohol consumption, depression, daytime sleepiness and high GERD risk are associated with increased OSA risk in SB patients, while high TMD-pain risk and chronic pain are associated with decreased OSA risk in this population.

A Comprehensive Review on Function of miR-15b-5p in Malignant and Non-Malignant Disorders

miR-15b-5p is encoded by MIR15B gene. This gene is located on cytogenetic band 3q25.33. This miRNA participates in the pathogenesis of several cancers as well as non-malignant conditions, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury, coronary artery disease, dexamethasone induced steatosis, diabetic complications and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. In malignant conditions, both oncogenic and tumor suppressor impacts have been described for miR-15b-5p. Dysregulation of miR-15b-5p in clinical samples has been associated with poor outcome in different kinds of cancers. In this review, we discuss the role of miR-15b-5p in malignant and non-malignant conditions.

“Leaky Gut” as a Keystone of the Connection between Depression and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome? A Rationale and Study Design

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression are highly comorbid. Immune alterations, oxidative stress or microbiota dysfunction have been proposed as some mechanisms underlying this association. The aim of the proposed study is to assess the severity and profile of OSA and depressive symptoms in the context of serum microbiota metabolites, biomarkers of intestinal permeability, inflammation and oxidative stress in adult patients diagnosed with OSA syndrome. The study population consists of 200 subjects. An apnoea-hypopnoea index ≥ 5/hour is used for the diagnosis. Depressive symptoms are assessed with Beck Depression Inventory. Measured serum markers are: tumour necrosis factor–alpha and interleukin-6 for inflammation, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde concentration for oxidative stress, zonulin, calprotectin, lipopolisaccharide-binding protein and intestinal fatty acids-binding protein for intestinal permeability. All of the above will be measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations between clinical symptoms profile and severity and the above markers levels will be tested. It would be valuable to seek for overlap indicators of depression and OSA to create this endophenotype possible biomarkers and form new prophylactic or therapeutic methods. The results may be useful to establish a subpopulation of patients sensitive to microbiota therapeutic interventions (probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota transplantation).

Identification of potential Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-related key genes and regulation networks in molecular subtypes of major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous and prevalent mental disorder associated with increased morbidity, disability, and mortality. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All analyses were conducted based on integrated samples from the GEO database. Differential expression analysis, unsupervised consensus clustering analysis, enrichment analysis, and regulation network analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was identified as an associated pathway in the development of MDD. From transcriptional signatures, we classified the MDD patients into two subgroups using unsupervised clustering and revealed 13 differential expression genes between subgroups, which indicates the probably relative complications. We further illustrated potential molecular mechanisms of MDD, including dysregulation in the neurotrophin signaling pathway, peptidyl-serine phosphorylation, and endocrine resistance. Moreover, we identified hub genes, including MAPK8, TP53, and HRAS in the maintenance of MDD. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the axis of miRNAs-TFs-HRAS/TP53/MAPK8 may play a critical role in MDD.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, we demonstrated an overview of MAPK-related key genes in MDD, determined two molecular subtypes, and identified the key genes and core network that may contribute to the procession of MDD.