Decrease of miR-195 Promotes Chondrocytes Proliferation and Maintenance of Chondrogenic Phenotype via Targeting FGF-18 Pathway

Effect and mechanism of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18 on osteoporosis in OVX mice

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the effect and the mechanism of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18 (rhFGF18) on postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODS

The effect of rhFGF18 on the proliferation and apoptosis of osteoblasts and the mechanism underlying such an effect was evaluated using an oxidative stress model of the MC3T3-E1 cell line. Furthermore, ovariectomy was performed on ICR mice to imitate estrogen-deficiency postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bone metabolism and bone morphological parameters in the ovariectomized (OVX) mice were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results obtained from the cell model showed that FGF18 promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 instead of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). FGF18 also prevented cells from damage inflicted by oxidative stress via inhibition of apoptosis. After FGF18 administration, the expression level of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in the mice was upregulated, whereas those of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 were downregulated. Administering FGF18 also improved bone metabolism and bone morphological parameters in OVX mice.

CONCLUSIONS

FGF18 could effectively prevent bone loss in OVX mice by enhancing osteoblastogenesis and protecting osteoblasts from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.

New developments in the biology of fibroblast growth factors

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is composed of 18 secreted signaling proteins consisting of canonical FGFs and endocrine FGFs that activate four receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs 1-4) and four intracellular proteins (intracellular FGFs or iFGFs) that primarily function to regulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels and other molecules. The canonical FGFs, endocrine FGFs, and iFGFs have been reviewed extensively by us and others. In this review, we briefly summarize past reviews and then focus on new developments in the FGF field since our last review in 2015. Some of the highlights in the past 6 years include the use of optogenetic tools, viral vectors, and inducible transgenes to experimentally modulate FGF signaling, the clinical use of small molecule FGFR inhibitors, an expanded understanding of endocrine FGF signaling, functions for FGF signaling in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, roles for FGF signaling in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, a continuing elaboration of mechanisms of FGF signaling in development, and an expanding appreciation of roles for FGF signaling in neuropsychiatric diseases. This article is categorized under: Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Stem Cells and Development.

miR-590-5p affects chondrocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation by targeting FGF18 in osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential miRNA targeting FGF18, and its role in regulating the proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation in human primary chondrocytes.

METHODS

The normal human chondrocytes were induced by IL-1β to mimic OA in vitro. qPCR and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression of FGF18. Target Scan analysis was performed to predict the miRNA targeting FGF18. Then, the expression of miR-590-5p was quantified by qPCR in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. After transfection of miR-590-5p mimics or inhibitors, CCK-8 assay was conducted to determine the cell viability and apoptosis-related proteins, and cartilage degeneration related biomarkers were assayed by qPCR and Western blotting. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were determined by ELISA. The targeting relationship between miR-590-5p and FGF18 was assayed by luciferase reporter assay in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes.

RESULTS

Target Scan analysis predicted that FGF18 is directly targeted by miR-590-5p. miR-590-5p was up-regulated, whereas FGF18 expression was inhibited in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. miR-590-5p mimics reduced the expression of FGF18 protein, inhibited the cell viability of chondrocytes, and promoted secretion of inflammatory factors in chondrocytes, while miR-590-5p inhibitors increased FGF18 levels in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes. Furthermore, expression of inflammatory factors in chondrocytes was reduced by miR-590-5p inhibitors. The luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-590-5p could target FGF18.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-590-5p promotes OA progression by targeting FGF18, which serves as a potential therapeutic target for OA.

Circular RNA TADA2A promotes proliferation and migration via modulating of miR‑638/KIAA0101 signal in non‑small cell lung cancer

Accumulating evidence indicates that circular (circ)RNAs exhibit complex functions in diverse malignant tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The role of the circRNA transcription adaptor 2A (circTADA2A) in NSCLC remains unclear. The expression, function and mechanism of circTADA2A in NSCLC development were investigated in the present study. The results revealed that circTADA2A was upregulated in NSCLC, and that knockdown of circTADA2A inhibited cell proliferation and migration in the NSCLC cell lines A549 and H1299. Functional assays demonstrated that circTADA2A promoted proliferation and migration via interacting with microRNA (miR)-638. Bioinformatics and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR assay confirmed that miR-638 was expressed at low levels in NSCLC. In addition, it was found that miR-638 served a tumor-suppressive role and suppressed proliferation and migration via PCNA clamp associated factor (KIAA0101) inhibition in A549 and H1299 cells. Lastly, it was verified that circTADA2A promoted cell proliferation and migration, at least partially, via miR-638/KIAA0101 signaling in A549 and H1299 cells. In summary, the present study showed that circTADA2A promoted NSCLC cell proliferation and migration via modulating miR-638/KIAA0101 signaling.

Long Non-Coding RNA CAR10 Facilitates Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion by Modulating the miR-892a/GJB2 Pathway

Introduction

Non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding (lnc)RNAs and microRNAs (miRs), play crucial roles in numerous malignant tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The expression levels of chromatin-associated RNA Intergenic 10 (CAR10), gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2) and miR-892a in NSCLC were evaluated by reanalyzing three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, and performing reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot analysis, accordingly. Functionally, Transwell and Matrigel assays were performed to measure changes in the migration and invasion abilities of the A549 and H1299 cell lines. The targeted binding effects between CAR10 and miR-892a, as well as between miR-892a and GJB2 were confirmed by conducting dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays, respectively.

Results

The present study demonstrated that CAR10 was upregulated in patients with NSCLC, which was also associated with a poor prognosis. Functionally, CAR10 was confirmed to be oncogenic and promoted NSCLC cell migration and invasion, using overexpression and knockdown Transwell assays. Furthermore, GJB2 expression was revealed to be upregulated and was positively correlated with CAR10 expression in NSCLC. A further mechanistic study revealed that GJB2 was a downstream target of CAR10, which induced the migration and invasive potential of the A549 and H1299 cell lines. More specifically, miR-892a was found to serve as a bridge between CAR10 and GJB2, via similar miRNA response elements. The RNA pull-down and luciferase assays indicated that miR-892a directly binds both CAR10 and GJB2.

Conclusion

CAR10 promoted NSCLC cell migration and invasion by upregulating GJB2 and sponging miR-892a. These findings illustrated that the CAR10/miR-892a/GJB2 axis may be a novel molecular target for the treatment of NSCLC.

RNA-seq analysis of chondrocyte transcriptome reveals genetic heterogeneity in LG/J and SM/J murine strains

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the transcriptomic differences in chondrocytes obtained from LG/J (large, healer) and SM/J (small, non-healer) murine strains in an attempt to discern the molecular pathways implicated in cartilage regeneration and susceptibility to osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

We performed RNA-sequencing on chondrocytes derived from LG/J (n = 16) and SM/J (n = 16) mice. We validated the expression of candidate genes and compared single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between the two mouse strains. We also examined gene expression of positional candidates for ear pinna regeneration and long bone length quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that display differences in cartilaginous expression.

RESULTS

We observed a distinct genetic heterogeneity between cells derived from LG/J and SM/J mouse strains. We found that gene ontologies representing cell development, cartilage condensation, and regulation of cell differentiation were enriched in LG/J chondrocytes. In contrast, gene ontologies enriched in the SM/J chondrocytes were mainly related to inflammation and degeneration. Moreover, SNP analysis revealed that multiple validated genes vary in sequence between LG/J and SM/J in coding and highly conserved noncoding regions. Finally, we showed that most QTLs have 20-30% of their positional candidates displaying differential expression between the two mouse strains.

CONCLUSIONS

While the enrichment of pathways related to cell differentiation, cartilage development and cartilage condensation infers superior healing potential of LG/J strain, the enrichment of pathways related to cytokine production, immune cell activation and inflammation entails greater susceptibility of SM/J strain to OA. These data provide novel insights into chondrocyte transcriptome and aid in identification of the quantitative trait genes and molecular differences underlying the phenotypic differences associated with individual QTLs.

miR-195 contributes to human osteoarthritis via targeting PTHrP

The dysregulated expression of the osteoarthritis (OA)-related genes in cartilage, such as matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and type X collagen (Col X), facilitates the onset and progression of OA. Reduced parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) may also accelerate this progression. Furthermore, miRNAs, endogenous regulators of mRNAs, are thought to play key roles in the pathogenesis of OA. In this study, we found that miR-195 levels were significantly upregulated in OA tissue, while PTHrP mRNA/protein expression was substantially downregulated, and there was a negative correlation between miR-195 and PTHrP. Upregulated miR-195 strongly inhibited Aggrecan, type II collagen (Col II) mRNA/protein expression, while it enhanced the expression of MMP-13 and Col X at mRNA/protein level; conversely, downregulated miR-195 significantly increased Col II mRNA/protein expression, while it decreased the expression of MMP-13 and Col X mRNA/protein. Moreover, our study demonstrated that PTHrP is a novel target of miR-195 using dual luciferase reporter assay. Finally, miR-195-mediated changes of Col II and OA-related genes were substantially attenuated by siRNA_PTHrP treatment. These results suggested that miR-195 is involved in the pathogenesis of OA via PTHrP.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Platelet-Rich Plasm and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) promote human chondrocyte regeneration in vitro and ESWT-mediated increase of CD44 expression enhances their susceptibility to HA treatment

Novel strategies have been proposed for articular cartilage damage occurring during osteoarthritis (OA) and -among these- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), intra-articular injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or Hyaluronic Acid (HA) revealed encouraging results. To investigate the possible mechanisms responsible for those clinical benefits, we established primary cultures of human chondrocytes derived from cartilage explants and measured the in vitro effects of ESW, PRP and HA therapies. After molecular/morphological cell characterization, we assessed those effects on the functional activities of the chondrocyte cell cultures, at the protein and molecular levels. ESWT significantly prevented the progressive dedifferentiation that spontaneously occurs during prolonged chondrocyte culture. We then attested the efficiency of all such treatments to stimulate the expression of markers of chondrogenic potential such as SOX9 and COL2A, to increase the Ki67 proliferation index as well as to antagonize the traditional marker of chondrosenescence p16INK4a (known as Cdkn2a). Furthermore, all our samples showed an ESW- and HA-mediated enhancement of migratory and anti-inflammatory activity onto the cytokine-rich environment characterizing OA. Taken together, those results suggest a regenerative effect of such therapies on primary human chondrocytes in vitro. Moreover, we also show for the first time that ESW treatment induces the surface expression of major hyaluronan cell receptor CD44 allowing the increase of COL2A/COL1A ratio upon HA administration. Therefore, this work suggests that ESW-induced CD44 overexpression enhances the in vitro cell susceptibility of human chondrocytes to HA, presumably favouring the repair of degenerated cartilage.

Long non-coding RNA XIST promotes extracellular matrix degradation by functioning as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-1277-5p in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and troublesome disease among the elderly, and is characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The function of the long non‑coding RNA X‑inactive‑specific transcript (XIST) and its working mechanism in ECM degradation remains unclear. In the present study, XIST was revealed to be upregulated in OA specimens and in articular chondrocytes (ACs) derived from OA tissue (AC/OA) and interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β)‑treated ACs. Loss‑of‑function experiments demonstrated that downregulation of XIST suppressed the degradation of the ECM in AC/OA and AC/IL‑1β‑5.0 cells. Furthermore, XIST, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP‑13) and ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 5 (ADAMTS5) were identified as targets of microRNA (miR)‑1277‑5p, and the reciprocal inhibitive effect between XIST and miR‑1277‑5p was elucidated. Furthermore, the role of XIST in ECM degradation was confirmed to be functioning as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR‑1277‑5p. Finally, the protective effect of the downregulation of XIST on ECM degradation was verified in an OA rat model. In conclusion, the present study suggests that XIST promotes MMP‑13 and ADAMTS5 expression, indicating ECM degradation, by functioning as a ceRNA of miR‑1277‑5p in OA. The present study proposed a novel potential target with a new working mechanism in molecular treating of OA.

AC016405.3, a novel long noncoding RNA, acts as a tumor suppressor through modulation of TET2 by microRNA-19a-5p sponging in glioblastoma

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators in various malignancies including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In the present study, we screened out a new lncRNA, AC016405.3, through a previous genome-wide lncRNA microarray analysis in GBM. It showed that AC016405.3 was downregulated in GBM tissue specimens and cell lines, and it also illustrated that the downregulated AC016405.3 was closely correlated with several aggressive features of patients with GBM. Functionally, we found that overexpression of AC016405.3 suppressed GBM cells' proliferation and metastasis using a gain of function experiment. We further showed that microRNA (miR)-19a-5p, a carcinogenic miRNA, was a downstream miRNA of AC016405.3. AC016405.3 was revealed as a target of miR-19a-5p, and overexpression of miR-19a-5p reversed the inhibitive effect of AC016405.3 on GBM cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, a novel downstream gene of miR-19a-5p, TET2, was identified through a constructed microarray analysis. We showed that TET2 was downregulated in GBM and was involved in miR-19a-5p-mediated proliferation and metastasis by directly being targeted. Finally, through a western blot assay and a series of functional CCK-8 and metastatic assays, we showed that AC016405.3 suppressed proliferation and metastasis through modulation of TET2 by sponging of miR-19a-5p in GBM cells. In summary, the findings of the current study identified a novel lncRNA and illustrated that AC016405.3, acting as an anti-oncogene, suppressed GBM cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating TET through miR-19a-5p sponging. Our present study might provide a new axis in the molecular treatment of GBM.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 regulates HDAC4-mediated proliferation and apoptosis via decoying of miR-140-5p in osteosarcoma cells

Noncoding RNAs regulate the initiation and progression of osteosarcoma (OS). The role of long noncoding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) playing in OS and whether the function it working out was achieved through HDAC4 pathway remain uncovered. In this study, we illustrated that MALAT1 was upregulated and was correlated with poor prognosis in OS patients. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that a depression of MALAT1 suppressed proliferation and promoted apoptosis in OS cell line HOS and 143B. Further, we verified that MALAT1 exerting its function via upregulating of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4). Through an online prediction, a series of luciferase assays and RNA pull‐down assays, we demonstrated that both MALAT1 and HDAC4 were the targets of microRNA‐140‐5p (miR‐140‐5p) via sharing a similar microRNA responding elements. Even further, we revealed that MALAT1 served as a ceRNA of HDAC4 via decoying of miR‐140‐5p. Finally, we proved that MALAT1 promoted OS tumor growth in an in vivo animal study. In summary, the outcomes of this study demonstrated the complex ceRNA network among MALAT, miR‐140‐5p, and HDAC4‐mediated proliferation and apoptosis in OS. This study might provide a new axial in molecular treatment of OS.

Ultrashortwave radiation promotes the recovery of spinal cord injury by inhibiting inflammation via suppression of the MK2/TNF‑α pathway

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) and its mediated inflammation are involved in various diseases, including spinal cord injury (SCI). Ultrashortwave (USW) radiation has previously been reported to exert a protective effect on SCI. In the present study, through a series of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot and immunofluorescence assay, it was found that MK2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interleukin (IL)-1β were elevated in patients with SCI and in H₂O₂-treated C8-D1A cells. Through gene level and protein level detection by using of RT-qPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling assay, it was demonstrated that USW radiation inhibited the expression of MK2/TNF-α/IL-1β and suppressed the apoptosis of H₂O₂-treated C8-D1A cells. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the overexpression of MK2 reversed the protective effect of USW on C8-D1A cells, which indicated that USW achieved its function via regulation of the MK2/TNF-α/IL-1β pathway. Finally, using a constructed in vivo model and a series of RT-qPCR, western blot and IHC detection, it was confirmed that USW suppressed the expression of MK2 to promote functional recovery following SCI.

The findings of the present study may provide a novel target and improve on the current understanding of how USW functions in the treatment of SCI.

Long noncoding RNA DANCR, working as a competitive endogenous RNA, promotes ROCK1-mediated proliferation and metastasis via decoying of miR-335-5p and miR-1972 in osteosarcoma

Background

Accumulating evidences indicate that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) acting as crucial regulators in osteosarcoma (OS). Previously, we reported that Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), a metastatic-related gene was negatively regulated by microRNA-335-5p (miR-335-5p) and work as an oncogene in osteosarcoma. Whether any long non-coding RNAs participate in the upstream of miR-335-5p/ROCK1 axial remains unclear.

Methods

Expression of differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) and miR-335-5p/miR-1972 in osteosarcoma tissues were determined by a qRT-PCR assay and an ISH assay. Osteosarcoma cells’ proliferation and migration/invasion ability changes were measured by a CCK-8/EDU assay and a transwell assay respectively. ROCK1 expression changes were checked by a qRT-PCR assay and a western blot assay. Targeted binding effects between miR-335-5p/miR-1972 and ROCK1 or DANCR were verified by a dual luciferase reporter assay and a RIP assay. In vivo experiments including a nude formation assay as well as a CT scan were applied to detect tumor growth and metastasis changes in animal level.

Results

In the present study, an elevated DNACR was found in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and in osteosarcoma cell lines, and the elevated DNACR was closely correlated with poor prognosis in clinical patients. Functional experiments illustrated that a depression of DANCR suppressed ROCK1-mediated proliferation and metastasis in osteosarcoma cells. The results of western blot assays and qRT-PCR assays revealed that DANCR regulated ROCK1 via crosstalk with miR-335-5p and miR-1972. Further cellular behavioral experiments demonstrated that DNACR promoted ROCK1-meidated proliferation and metastasis through decoying both miR-335-5p and miR-1972. Finally, the outcomes of in vivo animal models showed that DANCR promoted tumor growth and lung metastasis of osteosarcoma.

Conclusions

LncRNA DANCR work as an oncogene and promoted ROCK1-mediated proliferation and metastasis through acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in osteosarcoma.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-018-0837-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Long noncoding RNA KCNQ1OT1 promotes proliferation and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition by regulation of SMAD4 expression in lens epithelial cells

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with various diseases including cataracts. The role of lncRNA potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) on lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cataracts disease remains unclear. In the present study, KCNQ1OT1 and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD)4 expression levels were upregulated in human cataract lens posterior capsular samples and in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2-treated SRA01/04 cells, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and western blot analyses. A further loss of function test revealed that suppression of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited the proliferation and EMT of TGF-β2-treated SRA01/04 cells. Additionally, the present study reported that increase and decrease of KCNQ1OT1 regulated SMAD4 expression, which indicated that SMAD4 may be a downstream gene of KCNQ1OT1. Finally, a constructed SMAD4 RNA interference experiment confirmed that the function of KCNQ1OT1 was to act on LEC proliferation and EMT, and this was achieved via the SMAD4 signaling pathway. The findings of the present study may provide a novel target for molecular therapy of cataracts disease.

Long noncoding RNA DANCR promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and metastasis via miR-577 sponging

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in various malignant tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Long non-coding RNA differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) is overexpressed in CRC patients, but whether it affects CRC proliferation and metastasis via regulation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) remains unclear. In the present study, we found that DANCR was highly expressed and correlated with proliferation and metastasis in CRC. In addition, we demonstrated that DANCR and HSP27 were both targets of microRNA-577 (miR-577) and shared the same binding site. Furthermore, we revealed that DANCR promoted HSP27 expression and its mediation of proliferation/metastasis via miR-577 sponging. Finally, using an in vivo study, we confirmed that overexpression of DANCR promoted CRC tumor growth and liver metastasis. The present study demonstrated the function of DANCR in CRC and might provide a new target in the treatment of CRC.

MicroRNA-125a-5p Affects Adipocytes Proliferation, Differentiation and Fatty Acid Composition of Porcine Intramuscular Fat

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content and composition are considered crucial indicators of porcine meat quality. However, the molecular mechanism of porcine IMF development is still mostly unclear. Recently, new evidence suggested that microRNA (miRNAs) play important roles in porcine intramuscular adipogenesis. Previously, microRNA-125a-5p (miR-125a-5p) was identified as an important regulator of adipogenesis. In the present study, we found that the expression of miR-125a-5p is dynamically regulated during porcine intramuscular preadipocytes differentiation and that its expression levels in different porcine muscle tissues were negatively involved with IMF content. To investigate the potential function role of miR-125a-5p in IMF development, porcine intramuscular preadipocytes were collected and transfected with miR-125a-5p mimics, inhibitors, or a negative control (NC), respectively. The results showed that overexpression of miR-125a-5p promoted proliferation and inhibited differentiation of porcine intramuscular preadipocytes while inhibition of miR-125a-5p had the opposite effects. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that porcine kruppel like factor 3 (KLF13) is a target gene of miR-125a-5p during porcine intramuscular preadipocytes differentiation. Interestingly, porcine ELOVL fatty acid elongase 6 (ELOVL6), a regulator of fatty acid composition, was also identified as a target gene of miR-125a-5p during porcine intramuscular adipogenesis. Further studies show that miR-125a-5p overexpression reduced total saturated fatty acids (SFA) content and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)/SFA ratios while having no significant impact on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios. Taken together, our results identified that miR-125a-5p may be a novel regulator of porcine intramuscular adipogenesis and the fatty acid composition of porcine IMF.

The fibroblast growth factor 8 family in the female reproductive tract

Several growth factor families have been shown to be involved in the function of the female reproductive tract. One subfamily of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) superfamily, namely the FGF8 subfamily (including FGF17 and FGF18), has become important as Fgf8 has been described as an oocyte-derived factor essential for glycolysis in mouse cumulus cells and aberrant expression ofFGF18has been described in ovarian and endometrial cancers. In this review, we describe the pattern of expression of these factors in normal ovaries and uteri in rodents, ruminants and humans, as well as the expression of their receptors and intracellular negative feedback regulators. Expression of these molecules in gynaecological cancers is also reviewed. The role of FGF8 and FGF18 in ovarian and uterine function is described, and potential differences between rodents and ruminants have been highlighted especially with respect to FGF18 signalling within the ovarian follicle. Finally, we identify major questions about the reproductive biology of FGFs that remain to be answered, including (1) the physiological concentrations within the ovary and uterus, (2) which cell types within the endometrial stroma and theca layer express FGFs and (3) which receptors are activated by FGF8 subfamily members in reproductive tissues.

MiR-137 inhibited inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury via targeting of MK2

Spinal cord injuries are common and troublesome disorder, which is mediated by various signal pathways and mechanisms. MK2 is also involved in numerous inflammatory diseases including spinal cord injury. The role of microRNA-137 (miR-137) and its detailed working mechanism in spinal cord injuries remain unclear. In the present study, we found that an elevated MK2 but a decreased miR-137 was expressed in serum specimens of patients with spinal cord injury and in hydrogen peroxide-treated C8-D1A and C8-B4 cells. Meanwhile, we suggested that upregulation of miR-137 could inhibit the expression of TNF-α and IL-6, two markers of inflammatory response after SCI, and apoptosis in hydrogen peroxide-treated C8-D1A and C8-B4 cells. Furthermore, we verified that MK2 was a direct target of miR-137 thorough a constructed luciferase assay. Even further, we elucidated that miR-137 could suppress the inflammatory response and apoptosis via negative regulation of MK2. Finally, through an animal model trial performed using mice, we demonstrated the protective effect of how miR-137 works on inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury. Considering all the forementioned, our findings revealed that miR-137 inhibited inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury via the targeting of MK2. The outcomes of the present study might indicate a new target in molecular treatment of SCI.

Role of miR-195 in cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is regarded as a persistent respiratory symptom, mainly caused by cigarette smoking. Recent data have suggested that some miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. Here, we found that miR-195 was significantly upregulated in the lung tissues of patients with COPD compared to in never smokers. miR-195 expression was also upregulated in cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed mice. Lentivirus-mediated knockdown of miR-195 alleviated CS-induced lung pathological changes and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration as well as production of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Mechanically, a positive correlation was found between miR-195 and phosphorylation of Akt in lung tissues of COPD patients. PHLPP2 was confirmed as a direct downstream target of miR-195 and negative regulator of miR-195 expression. Inhibition of PHLPP2 enhanced Akt phosphorylation and increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production in BEAS-2B cells, resembling the effects of miR-195 overexpression. Collectively, our data indicate that miR-195 has a pathogenetic role in CS-induced COPD and regulates Akt signaling by suppressing PHLPP2 expression. miR-195 may be an effective therapeutic target in COPD.