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Park DJ, Choi W, Sayeed S, Dorschner RA, Rainaldi J, Ho K, Kezios J, Nolan JP, Mali P, Costantini T, Eliceiri BP. Defining the activity of pro-reparative extracellular vesicles in wound healing based on miRNA payloads and cell type-specific lineage mapping. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00088-1. [PMID: 38379282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by cells and deliver biologically active payloads to coordinate the response of multiple cell types in cutaneous wound healing. Here we used a cutaneous injury model as a donor of pro-reparative EVs to treat recipient diabetic obese mice, a model of impaired wound healing. We established a functional screen for microRNAs (miRNAs) that increased the pro-reparative activity of EVs and identified a down-regulation of miR-425-5p in EVs in vivo and in vitro associated with the regulation of adiponectin. We tested a cell type-specific reporter of a tetraspanin CD9 fusion with GFP to lineage map the release of EVs from macrophages in the wound bed, based on the expression of miR-425-5p in macrophage-derived EVs and the abundance of macrophages in EV donor sites. Analysis of different promoters demonstrated that EV release under the control of a macrophage-specific promoter was most abundant and that these EVs were internalized by dermal fibroblasts. These findings suggested that pro-reparative EVs deliver miRNAs, such as miR-425-5p, that stimulate the expression of adiponectin that has insulin-sensitizing properties. We propose that EVs promote intercellular signaling between cell layers in the skin to resolve inflammation, induce proliferation of basal keratinocytes, and accelerate wound closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Jun Park
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wooil Choi
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sakeef Sayeed
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert A Dorschner
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joseph Rainaldi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kayla Ho
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jenny Kezios
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Todd Costantini
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Brian P Eliceiri
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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2
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Bawazeer A, Prince DC. Detection of miRNAs. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2630:1-11. [PMID: 36689172 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2982-6_1] [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] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression. They play an important role in many biological processes including human diseases. However, miRNAs are challenging to detect due to their short sequence length and low copy number. A number of conventional (e.g., Northern blot, microarray, and RT-qPCR) and emerging (e.g., nanostructured materials and electrochemical methods) techniques have been developed to detect miRNA, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of these techniques have been combined to detect miRNAs as disease biomarkers in point-of-care (POC) settings. Nonetheless, there is still potential for further innovation to facilitate the detection of miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrah Bawazeer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - David C Prince
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
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Wang JY, Li HD, Ma PQ, Zhou Y, Yin BC, Ye BC. An miRISC-initiated DNA nanomachine for monitoring MicroRNA activity in living cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 220:114828. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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miRNA-Dependent Regulation of AKT1 Phosphorylation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050821. [PMID: 35269443 PMCID: PMC8909289 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway regulates cell survival and is over-activated in most human cancers, including ovarian cancer. Following growth factor stimulation, AKT1 is activated by phosphorylation at T308 and S473. Disruption of the AKT1 signaling pathway is sufficient to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. In metastatic disease, adherent EOC cells transition to a dormant spheroid state, characterized previously by low S473 phosphorylation in AKT1. We confirmed this finding and observed that T308 phosphorylation was yet further reduced in EOC spheroids and that the transition from adherent to spheroid growth is accompanied by significantly increased levels of let-7 miRNAs. We then used mechanistic studies to investigate the impact of let-7 miRNAs on AKT1 phosphorylation status and activity in cells. In growth factor-stimulated HEK 293T cells supplemented with let-7a, we found increased phosphorylation of AKT1 at T308, decreased phosphorylation at S473, and enhanced downstream AKT1 substrate GSK-3β phosphorylation. Let-7b and let-7g also deregulated AKT signaling by rendering AKT1 insensitive to growth factor simulation. We uncovered let-7a-dependent deregulation of PI3K pathway components, including PI3KC2A, PDK1, and RICTOR, that govern AKT1 phosphorylation and activity. Together, our data show a new role for miRNAs in regulating AKT signaling.
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microRNA-Mediated Encoding and Decoding of Time-Dependent Signals in Tumorigenesis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020213. [PMID: 35204714 PMCID: PMC8961662 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs, pivotal post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, in the past decades have caught the attention of researchers for their involvement in different biological processes, ranging from cell development to cancer. Although lots of effort has been devoted to elucidate the topological features and the equilibrium properties of microRNA-mediated motifs, little is known about how the information encoded in frequency, amplitude, duration, and other features of their regulatory signals can affect the resulting gene expression patterns. Here, we review the current knowledge about microRNA-mediated gene regulatory networks characterized by time-dependent input signals, such as pulses, transient inputs, and oscillations. First, we identify the general characteristic of the main motifs underlying temporal patterns. Then, we analyze their impact on two commonly studied oncogenic networks, showing how their dysfunction can lead to tumorigenesis.
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miRNA Delivery by Nanosystems: State of the Art and Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111901. [PMID: 34834316 PMCID: PMC8619868 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (~21-23 nucleotides), non-coding endogenous RNA molecules that modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level via the endogenous RNA interference machinery of the cell. They have emerged as potential biopharmaceuticals candidates for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, in order to advance miRNAs therapeutics into clinical settings, their delivery remains a major challenge. Different types of vectors have been investigated to allow the delivery of miRNA in the diseased tissue. In particular, non-viral delivery systems have shown important advantages such as versatility, low cost, easy fabrication and low immunogenicity. Here, we present a general overview of the main types of non-viral vectors developed for miRNA delivery, with their advantages, limitations and future perspectives.
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O'Donoghue P, Heinemann IU, Fan C. Editorial: Synthetic Nucleic Acids for Expanding Genetic Codes and Probing Living Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:720534. [PMID: 34277594 PMCID: PMC8283803 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.720534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O'Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ilka U Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Chenguang Fan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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Siddika T, Heinemann IU. Bringing MicroRNAs to Light: Methods for MicroRNA Quantification and Visualization in Live Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 8:619583. [PMID: 33537295 PMCID: PMC7848212 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.619583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that interact with their target mRNAs for posttranscriptional gene regulation. Finely controlled miRNA biogenesis, target recognition and degradation indicate that maintaining miRNA homeostasis is essential for regulating cell proliferation, growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Increasingly, miRNAs have been recognized as a potential biomarker for disease diagnosis. MiRNAs can be found in blood, plasma, and tissues, and miRNA expression and activity differ in developmental stages, tissues and in response to external stimuli. MiRNA transcripts are matured from pri-miRNA over pre-miRNA to mature miRNA, a process that includes multiple steps and enzymes. Many tools are available to identify and quantify specific miRNAs, ranging from measuring total miRNA, specific miRNA activity, miRNA arrays and miRNA localization. The various miRNA assays differ in accuracy, cost, efficiency and convenience of monitoring miRNA dynamics. To acknowledge the significance and increasing research interest in miRNAs, we summarize the traditional as well as novel methods of miRNA quantification with strengths and limitations of various techniques in biochemical and medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilka U. Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Transcriptome Analysis of Deafness: Intracellular Signal Transduction Signaling Pathways Regulate Neuroplastic Changes in the Auditory Cortex. Otol Neurotol 2020; 41:986-996. [PMID: 32501934 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000002691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND Hearing loss leads to synaptic changes in auditory neurons and their networks, and functions as a consequence of the interplay between genes and proteins. However, cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to deafness-induced plasticity in the auditory cortex (AC) remain unclear. Here, we examined the changes in gene expression and key signaling pathways that regulate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the AC following auditory deafferentation using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis. METHODS Cochlear ablation-induced bilaterally deafened Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained for 12 weeks and their ACs were harvested. RNA-seq analysis was performed on each sample to identify which genes were expressed. This information was then used for comparative analysis of DEGs between samples. The statistical significance of DEGs was determined by fold change (|FC| > 1.5) and independent t test (p < 0.05). RESULTS RNA-seq analysis identified 72 DEGs, of which 19 were upregulated and 53 were down-regulated after bilateral deafening in the ACs. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed the potential involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase, tumor necrosis factor, and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (e.g., Bdnf, Gli1, and c-Fos) signaling pathways in regulating changes in the expression of the genes listed herein. The DEGs of interest-including c-Fos, Arc, Ntf3, and Gli1-from the RNA-seq analysis were consistent with result of quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION RNA-seq analysis revealed that auditory deprivation in adult rats elicited changes in gene expression, transcription factor levels, and their complex interaction at specific gene promoters in the AC. Particularly, activation of intracellular signal transduction signaling pathways may be key to neuronal plasticity in deafness.
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O'Donoghue P, Heinemann IU. Synthetic DNA and RNA Programming. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10070523. [PMID: 31336805 PMCID: PMC6678149 DOI: 10.3390/genes10070523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology is a broad and emerging discipline that capitalizes on recent advances in molecular biology, genetics, protein and RNA engineering as well as omics technologies. Together these technologies have transformed our ability to reveal the biology of the cell and the molecular basis of disease. This Special Issue on "Synthetic RNA and DNA Programming" features original research articles and reviews, highlighting novel aspects of basic molecular biology and the molecular mechanisms of disease that were uncovered by the application and development of novel synthetic biology-driven approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O'Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Ilka U Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
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Chung CZ, Balasuriya N, Manni E, Liu X, Li SSC, O'Donoghue P, Heinemann IU. Gld2 activity is regulated by phosphorylation in the N-terminal domain. RNA Biol 2019; 16:1022-1033. [PMID: 31057087 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2019.1608754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The de-regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with multiple human diseases, yet cellular mechanisms governing miRNA abundance remain largely elusive. Human miR-122 is required for Hepatitis C proliferation, and low miR-122 abundance is associated with hepatic cancer. The adenylyltransferase Gld2 catalyses the post-transcriptional addition of a single adenine residue (A + 1) to the 3'-end of miR-122, enhancing its stability. Gld2 activity is inhibited by binding to the Hepatitis C virus core protein during HepC infection, but no other mechanisms of Gld2 regulation are known. We found that Gld2 activity is regulated by site-specific phosphorylation in its disordered N-terminal domain. We identified two phosphorylation sites (S62, S110) where phosphomimetic substitutions increased Gld2 activity and one site (S116) that markedly reduced activity. Using mass spectrometry, we confirmed that HEK 293 cells readily phosphorylate the N-terminus of Gld2. We identified protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase B (Akt1) as the kinases that site-specifically phosphorylate Gld2 at S116, abolishing Gld2-mediated nucleotide addition. The data demonstrate a novel phosphorylation-dependent mechanism to regulate Gld2 activity, revealing tumour suppressor miRNAs as a previously unknown target of Akt1-dependent signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Z Chung
- a Department of Biochemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
| | - Nileeka Balasuriya
- a Department of Biochemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
| | - Emad Manni
- a Department of Biochemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
| | - Xuguang Liu
- a Department of Biochemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
| | - Shawn Shun-Cheng Li
- a Department of Biochemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada.,b Department of Oncology and Child Health Research Institute , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
| | - Patrick O'Donoghue
- a Department of Biochemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada.,c Department of Chemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
| | - Ilka U Heinemann
- a Department of Biochemistry , The University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
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