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D'Aversa E, Salvatori F, Vaccarezza M, Antonica B, Grisafi M, Singh AV, Secchiero P, Zauli G, Tisato V, Gemmati D. circRNAs as Epigenetic Regulators of Integrity in Blood-Brain Barrier Architecture: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies in Multiple Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:1316. [PMID: 39195206 DOI: 10.3390/cells13161316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease leading to progressive demyelination and neuronal loss, with extensive neurological symptoms. As one of the most widespread neurodegenerative disorders, with an age onset of about 30 years, it turns out to be a socio-health and economic issue, thus necessitating therapeutic interventions currently unavailable. Loss of integrity in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the distinct MS hallmarks. Brain homeostasis is ensured by an endothelial cell-based monolayer at the interface between the central nervous system (CNS) and systemic bloodstream, acting as a selective barrier. MS results in enhanced barrier permeability, mainly due to the breakdown of tight (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs) between endothelial cells. Specifically, proinflammatory mediator release causes failure in cytoplasmic exposure of junctions, resulting in compromised BBB integrity that enables blood cells to cross the barrier, establishing iron deposition and neuronal impairment. Cells with a compromised cytoskeletal protein network, fiber reorganization, and discontinuous junction structure can occur, resulting in BBB dysfunction. Recent investigations on spatial transcriptomics have proven circularRNAs (circRNAs) to be powerful multi-functional molecules able to epigenetically regulate transcription and structurally support proteins. In the present review, we provide an overview of the recent role ascribed to circRNAs in maintaining BBB integrity/permeability via cytoskeletal stability. Increased knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for impairment and circRNA's role in driving BBB damage and dysfunction might be helpful for the recognition of novel therapeutic targets to overcome BBB damage and unrestrained neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta D'Aversa
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesca Salvatori
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mauro Vaccarezza
- Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Bianca Antonica
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Miriana Grisafi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ajay Vikram Singh
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paola Secchiero
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgio Zauli
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh 11462, Saudi Arabia
| | - Veronica Tisato
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- University Strategic Centre for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Donato Gemmati
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- University Strategic Centre for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Haemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Cipriano GL, Schepici G, Mazzon E, Anchesi I. Multiple Sclerosis: Roles of miRNA, lcnRNA, and circRNA and Their Implications in Cellular Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2255. [PMID: 38396932 PMCID: PMC10889752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative condition characterized by axonal damage and demyelination induced by autoreactive immune cells that occur in the Central Nervous System (CNS). The interaction between epigenetic changes and genetic factors can be widely involved in the onset, development, and progression of the disease. Although numerous efforts were made to discover new therapies able to prevent and improve the course of MS, definitive curative treatments have not been found yet. However, in recent years, it has been reported that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), acting as gene expression regulators, could be used as potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers to diagnose and fight MS. In this review, we discussed the role of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, as well as their expression level changes and signaling pathways that are related to preclinical and human MS studies. Hence, the investigation of ncRNAs could be important to provide additional information regarding MS pathogenesis as well as promote the discovery of new therapeutic strategies or biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Strada Statale 113, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (G.L.C.); (G.S.); (I.A.)
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Caserta S, Stagno F, Gangemi S, Allegra A. Highlights on the Effects of Non-Coding RNAs in the Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1598. [PMID: 38338876 PMCID: PMC10855359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is the progressive loss and destruction of bone affecting the maxilla or mandible in patients treated with antiresorptive and antiangiogenic agents without receiving prior radiation therapy. The pathogenesis involves the inflammatory pathway of receptor activator of nuclear factor NF-kB ligand and the macrophage colony-stimulating factor, essential for osteoclast precursors survival and proliferation and acting through its receptor c-Fms. Evidence has shown the role of non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the jaw and this finding might be useful in diagnosis since these small RNAs could be considered as biomarkers of apoptotic activity in bone. Interestingly, it has been proved that miR-29 and miR-31-5p, acting on specific targets such as CALCR and RhoA, promote programmed-cell death and consequently the necrosis of bone tissue. Specific long non-coding RNAs, instead, have been detected both at reduced levels in patients with multiple myeloma and osteonecrosis, and associated with suppression of osteoblast differentiation, with consequences in the progression of mandible lesions. Among non-coding genic material, circular RNAs have the capability to modify the expression of specific mRNAs responsible for the inhibition of bisphosphonates activity on osteoclastogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santino Caserta
- Hematology Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Fabio Stagno
- Hematology Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Hematology Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.)
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