The Roles of CCN1/CYR61 in Pulmonary Diseases

Prognostic Function and Immunologic Landscape of a Predictive Model Based on Five Senescence-Related Genes in IPF Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of interstitial lung disease characterized by unknown causes and a poor prognosis. Recent research indicates that age-related mechanisms, such as cellular senescence, may play a role in the development of this condition. However, the relationship between cellular senescence and clinical outcomes in IPF remains uncertain.

METHODS

Data from the GSE70867 database were meticulously analyzed in this study. The research employed differential expression analysis, as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, to pinpoint senescence-related genes (SRGs) linked to prognosis and construct a prognostic risk model. The model's clinical relevance and its connection to potential biological processes were systematically assessed in training and testing datasets. Additionally, the expression location of prognosis-related SRGs was identified through immunohistochemical staining, and the correlation between SRGs and immune cell infiltration was deduced using the GSE28221 dataset.

RESULT

The prognostic risk model was constructed based on five SRGs (cellular communication network factor 1, CYR61, stratifin, SFN, megakaryocyte-associated tyrosine kinase, MATK, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, CXCL1, LIM domain, and actin binding 1, LIMA1). Both Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves (p = 0.005) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis affirmed the predictive accuracy of this model in testing datasets, with respective areas under the ROC curve at 1-, 2-, and 3-years being 0.721, 0.802, and 0.739. Furthermore, qRT-RCR analysis and immunohistochemical staining verify the differential expression of SRGs in IPF samples and controls. Moreover, patients in the high-risk group contained higher infiltration levels of neutrophils, eosinophils, and M1 macrophages in BALF, which appeared to be independent indicators of poor prognosis in IPF patients.

CONCLUSION

Our research reveals the effectiveness of the 5 SRGs model in BALF for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in IPF patients, providing new insights into the immune infiltration of IPF progression.

Alternative Splicing Is a Major Factor Shaping Transcriptome Diversity in Mild and Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The role of alternative splicing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the differences in alternatively splicing events between patients with mild-to-moderate and severe COPD compared with non-COPD control subjects and to identify splicing factors associated with aberrant alternative splicing in COPD. For this purpose, we performed genome-wide RNA-sequencing analysis of bronchial brushings from 23 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD, 121 with severe COPD, and 23 non-COPD control subjects. We found a significant difference in the frequency of alternative splicing events in patients with mild-to-moderate and severe COPD compared with non-COPD control subjects. There were from two to eight times (depending on event type) more differential alternative splicing events in the severe than in the mild-to-moderate stage. The severe COPD samples showed less intron retention and more exon skipping. It is interesting that the transcript levels of the top 10 differentially expressed splicing factors were significantly correlated with the percentage of many alternatively spliced transcripts in severe COPD. The aberrant alternative splicing in severe COPD was predicted to increase the overall protein-coding capacity of gene products. In conclusion, we observed large and significant differences in alternative splicing between bronchial samples of patients with COPD and control subjects, with more events observed in severe than in mild-to-moderate COPD. The changes in the expression of several splicing factors correlated with prevalence of alternative splicing in severe COPD. Alternative splicing can indirectly impact gene expression by changing the relative abundance of protein-coding isoforms potentially influencing pathophysiological changes. The results provide a better understanding of COPD-related alternative splicing changes.

Upregulation of CALD1 predicted a poor prognosis for platinum-treated ovarian cancer and revealed it as a potential therapeutic resistance target

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) has the worst prognosis among gynecological malignancies, most of which are found to be in advanced stage. Cell reduction surgery based on platinum-based chemotherapy is the current standard of treatment for OC, but patients are prone to relapse and develop drug resistance. The objective of this study was to identify a specific molecular target responsible for platinum chemotherapy resistance in OC.

RESULTS

We screened the protein-coding gene Caldesmon (CALD1), expressed in cisplatin-resistant OC cells in vitro. The prognostic value of CALD1 was evaluated using survival curve analysis in OC patients treated with platinum therapy. The diagnostic value of CALD1 was verified by drawing a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve using clinical samples from OC patients. This study analyzed data from various databases including Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), The Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GEPIA 2, UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter, LinkedOmics database, and String. Different expression genes (DEGs) between cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cells were acquired respectively from 5 different datasets of GEO. CALD1 was selected as a common gene from 5 groups DEGs. Online data analysis of HPA and CCLE showed that CALD1 was highly expressed in both normal ovarian tissue and OC. In TCGA database, high expression of CALD1 was associated with disease stage and venous invasion in OC. Patients with high CALD1 expression levels had a worse prognosis under platinum drug intervention, according to Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter analysis. Analysis of clinical sample data from GEO showed that CALD1 had superior diagnostic value in distinguishing patients with platinum "resistant" and platinum "sensitive" (AUC = 0.816), as well as patients with worse progression-free survival (AUC = 0.741), and those with primary and omental metastases (AUC = 0.811) in ovarian tumor. At last, CYR61 was identified as a potential predictive molecule that may play an important role alongside CALD1 in the development of platinum resistance in OC.

CONCLUSIONS

CALD1, as a member of cytoskeletal protein, was associated with poor prognosis of platinum resistance in OC, and could be used as a target protein for mechanism study of platinum resistance in OC.

Trigonelline mitigates bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis: Insight into NLRP3 inflammasome and SPHK1/S1P/Hippo signaling modulation

AIMS

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with an increasing incidence following the COVID-19 outbreak. Pirfenidone (Pirf), an FDA-approved pulmonary anti-fibrotic drug, is poorly tolerated and exhibits limited efficacy. Trigonelline (Trig) is a natural plant alkaloid with diverse pharmacological actions. We investigated the underlying prophylactic and therapeutic mechanisms of Trig in ameliorating bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF and the possible synergistic antifibrotic activity of Pirf via its combination with Trig.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single dose of BLM was administered intratracheally to male Sprague-Dawley rats for PF induction. In the prophylactic study, Trig was given orally 3 days before BLM and then for 28 days. In the therapeutic study, Trig and/or Pirf were given orally from day 8 after BLM until the 28th day. Biochemical assay, histopathology, qRT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry were performed on lung tissues.

KEY FINDINGS

Trig prophylactically and therapeutically mitigated the inflammatory process via targeting NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling. Trig activated the autophagy process which in turn attenuated alveolar epithelial cells apoptosis and senescence. Remarkably, Trig attenuated lung SPHK1/S1P axis and its downstream Hippo targets, YAP-1, and TAZ, with a parallel decrease in YAP/TAZ profibrotic genes. Interestingly, Trig upregulated lung miR-375 and miR-27a expression. Consequently, epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung tissues was reversed upon Trig administration. These results were simultaneously associated with profound improvement in lung histological alterations.

SIGNIFICANCE

The current study verifies Trig's prophylactic and antifibrotic effects against BLM-induced PF via targeting multiple signaling. Trig and Pirf combination may be a promising approach to synergize Pirf antifibrotic effect.

Asthma in patients with the syndrome of undifferentiated dysplasia of connective tissue: peculiarities of the course or mutually aggravating mechanisms?

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To analyse laboratory and biochemical features of the severe persistent course of asthma in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD) syndrome, and their phenotypic and visceral stigmas of dysembryogenesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: We enrolled 60 male patients with asthma, aged from 23 to 62 years (mean age (46.83 ±0.85) years): 30 patients with the background of UCTD, and 30 - without UCTD. We analysed clinical, somatometric, surveying (original questionnaire based on the phenotypic map of Glesby), instrumental (spirography, echocardiography, endoscopy, esophagofibrogastroduodenoscopy) and laboratory (including eosinophilic granulocytes and aldosterone levels) data.

RESULTS

Results: Correlations were found in men with UCTD between the number of UCTD markers and rate of earlobe diagonal fold (r=+0.75; р<0.05), asthenic constitution (r=+0.72; р<0.05), easy bruising (r=+0.7; p<0.05) and straight abdominal line hernia (r=+0.52; p<0.05). Average aldosterone serum level in patients with UCTD (176,10 ±11,22) was significantly higher than in those without UCTD (142,77 ±9,43), (p<0.05), as well as average eosinophils levels (1.3 ±0.25 vs. 0.57 ±0.12, p<0.05). In the absolute majority of patients with UCTD (93.3%) asthma onset was confirmed after pneumonia, and their age of asthma manifestation was significantly higher (37.2 ±1.21) than in patients without UCTD (21.4 ±1.13). Also, in patients with UCTD there was a high number of severe exacerbations during the last year (2.7 ±0.12 per year) on the background of high doses of combined inhaled glucocorticosteroids use.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Identified "phenotypic profile", clinical and biochemical features of patients with asthma on the background of UCTD syndrome, which determine the severe course and early formation of asthma complications, will further accelerate the diagnosis of this asthma phenotype and improve approaches to the selection of treatment regimens for these patients.

Identification of Hub Genes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Their Association with Lung Cancer by Bioinformatics Analysis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible disease with a high mortality rate worldwide. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of IPF have not yet been fully described. Moreover, lung cancer is a significant complication of IPF and is associated with increased mortality. Nevertheless, identifying common genes involved in developing IPF and its progression to lung cancer remains an unmet need. The present study aimed to identify hub genes related to the development of IPF by meta-analysis. In addition, we analyzed their expression and their relationship with patients' progression in lung cancer.

METHOD

Microarray datasets GSE24206, GSE21369, GSE110147, GSE72073, and GSE32539 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Next, we conducted a series of bioinformatics analysis to explore possible hub genes in IPF and evaluated the expression of hub genes in lung cancer and their relationship with the progression of different stages of cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 1888 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 1105 upregulated and 783 downregulated genes. The 10 hub genes that exhibited a high degree of connectivity from the PPI network were identified. Analysis of the KEGG pathways showed that hub genes correlate with pathways such as the ECM-receptor interaction. Finally, we found that these hub genes are expressed in lung cancer and are associated with the progression of different stages of lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the integration of GEO microarray datasets, the present study identified DEGs and hub genes that could play an essential role in the pathogenesis of IPF and its association with the development of lung cancer in these patients, which could be considered potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the disease.

Molecular insights using spatial transcriptomics of the distal lung in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abnormal pulmonary vascular development and function in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a significant factor leading to pulmonary hypertension. The lung is a very heterogenous organ and has marked cellular diversity that is differentially responsive to injury and therapeutic agents. Spatial transcriptomics provides the unmatched capability of discerning the differences in the transcriptional signature of these distinct cell subpopulations in the lung with regional specificity. We hypothesized that the distal lung parenchyma (selected as a region of interest) would show a distinct transcriptomic profile in the CDH lung compared with control (normal lung). We subjected lung sections obtained from male and female CDH and control neonates to spatial transcriptomics using the Nanostring GeoMx platform. Spatial transcriptomic analysis of the human CDH and control lung revealed key differences in the gene expression signature. Increased expression of alveolar epithelial-related genes (SFTPA1 and SFTPC) and angiogenesis-related genes (EPAS1 and FHL1) was seen in control lungs compared with CDH lungs. Response to vitamin A was enriched in the control lungs as opposed to abnormality of the coagulation cascade and TNF-alpha signaling via NF-kappa B in the CDH lung parenchyma. In male patients with CDH, higher expression of COL1A1 (ECM remodeling) and CD163 was seen. Increased type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AT-2) and arterial and lung capillary endothelial cells were seen in control lung samples compared with CDH lung samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of spatial transcriptomics in patients with CDH that identifies the contribution of different lung cellular subpopulations in CDH pathophysiology and highlights sex-specific differences.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first use of spatial transcriptomics in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) that identifies the contribution of different lung cellular subpopulations in CDH pathophysiology and highlights sex-specific differences.

Single-Cell Analysis of ADSC Interactions with Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells in Scleroderma Skin

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as part of autologous fat grafting have anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects, but the exact mechanisms of action remain unknown. By simulating the interaction of ADSCs with fibroblasts and endothelial cells (EC) from scleroderma (SSc) skin in silico, we aim to unravel these mechanisms. Publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data from the stromal vascular fraction of 3 lean patients and biopsies from the skin of 10 control and 12 patients with SSc were obtained from the GEO and analysed using R and Seurat. Differentially expressed genes were used to compare the fibroblast and EC transcriptome between controls and SSc. GO and KEGG functional enrichment was performed. Ligand-receptor interactions of ADSCs with fibroblasts and ECs were explored with LIANA. Pro-inflammatory and extracellular matrix (ECM) interacting fibroblasts were identified in SSc. Arterial, capillary, venous and lymphatic ECs showed a pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory transcriptome. Most interactions with both cell types were based on ECM proteins. Differential interactions identified included NTN1, VEGFD, MMP2, FGF2, and FNDC5. The ADSC secretome may disrupt vascular and perivascular inflammation hubs in scleroderma by promoting angiogenesis and especially lymphangiogenesis. Key phenomena observed after fat grafting remain unexplained, including modulation of fibroblast behaviour.

Long-term cadmium exposure induces chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-like lung lesions in a mouse model

Accumulating evidences demonstrate that long-term exposure to atmospheric fine particles and air pollutants elevates the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cadmium (Cd) is one of the important toxic substances in atmospheric fine particles and air pollutants. In this study, we aimed to establish a mouse model to evaluate whether respiratory Cd exposure induces COPD-like lung injury. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CdCl₂ (10 mg/L, 4 h per day) by inhaling aerosol for either 10 weeks (short-term) or 6 months (long-term). The mean serum Cd concentration was 6.26 μg/L in Cd-exposed mice. Lung weight and coefficient were elevated in long-term Cd-exposed mice. Pathological scores and alveolar destructive indices were increased in long-term Cd-exposed mouse lungs. Mean linear intercept and airway wall thickness were accordingly elevated in Cd-exposed mice. Inflammatory cell infiltration was obvious and inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TGF-β, were up-regulated in Cd-exposed mouse lungs. α-SMA, N-cadherin and vimentin, epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, and extracellular matrix collagen deposition around small airway, determined by Masson's trichrome staining, were shown in Cd-exposed mouse lungs. COPD-characteristic lung function decline was observed in long-term Cd-exposed mice. These outcomes show that long-term respiratory exposure to Cd induces COPD-like lung lesions for the first time.

CCN proteins: opportunities for clinical studies-a personal perspective

The diverse members of the CCN family now designated as CCN1(CYR61), CCN2 (CTGF), CCN3(NOV), CCN4(WISP1), CCN5(WISP2), CCN6(WISP3) are a conserved matricellular family of proteins exhibiting a spectrum of functional properties throughout all organs in the body. Interaction with cell membrane receptors such as integrins trigger intracellular signaling pathways. Proteolytically cleaved fragments (constituting the active domains) can be transported to the nucleus and perform transcriptional relevant functional activities. Notably, as also found in other protein families some members act opposite to others creating a system of functionally relevant checks and balances. It has become apparent that these proteins are secreted into the circulation, are quantifiable, and can serve as disease biomarkers. How they might also serve as homeostatic regulators is just becoming appreciated. In this review I have attempted to highlight the most recent evidence under the subcategories of cancer and non-cancer relevant that could lead to potential therapeutic approaches or ideas that can be factored into clinical advances. I have added my own personal perspective on feasibility.

Inhibition of YTHDF1 prevents hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation by regulating Foxm1 translation in an m6A-dependent manner

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling. It refers to the abnormal proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and hypoxia is an important risk factor for this progression. The present study aims to investigate the role of YTHDF1 in the regulation of hypoxic PASMC proliferation and the underlying mechanism. Human PASMCs were transfected with si-YTHDF1/2/3 followed by treatment of hypoxia, and the PASMC proliferation and Foxm1 expression were detected. Through RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and protein synthesis assay, the mechanism of YTHDF1 regulating Foxm1 was explored. Next, Foxm1 was inhibited by thiostrepton, and cell proliferation was detected. In vivo, mice received a tail vein injection of adenovirus containing si-YTHDF1 and were exposed to hypoxia treatment. Pulmonary vascular changes, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), and genes involving proliferation were analyzed. YTHDF1 silencing reduced more hypoxic PASMC proliferation and Foxm1 protein level than YTHDF2/3 silencing. Mechanical results showed that YTHDF1 interacted with Foxm1 mRNA and up-regulated Foxm1 protein level by enhancing the translation efficiency in an m6A-dependent manner. Furthermore, YTHDF1 facilitated hypoxic PASMC proliferation and proliferation marker expressions through up-regulation of Foxm1 in an m6A-dependent manner. In vivo, the YTHDF1 silencing alleviated pulmonary vascular changes and fibrosis, reduced RVSP, inhibited the interaction of YTHDF1 and Foxm1, and reduced proliferation marker levels, as compared to the PAH group. In conclusion, YTHDF1 silencing inhibits hypoxic PASMC proliferation by regulating Foxm1 translation in an m6A-dependent manner.

Astragaloside IV improves pulmonary arterial hypertension by increasing the expression of CCN1 and activating the ERK1/2 pathway

The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of AS-IV and CCN1 in PAH and to evaluate whether the protective effect of AS-IV against PAH is associated with CCN1 and its related signalling pathway. In vivo, male SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg) or exposed to hypoxia (10% oxygen) and gavaged with AS-IV (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/day) to create a PAH model. In vitro, human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAECs) were exposed to hypoxia (3% oxygen) or monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP, 60 μg/mL) and treated with AS-IV (10, 20 and 40 μM), EGF (10 nM, ERK agonist), small interfering CCN1 (CCN1 siRNA) and recombinant CCN1 protein (rCCN1, 100 ng/mL). We identified the differences in the expression of genes in the lung tissues of PAH rats by proteomics. At the same time, we dynamically detected the expression of CCN1 by Western blot both in vivo and in vitro. The Western blot experimental results showed that the expression of CCN1 increased in the early stage of PAH and decreased in the advanced stage of PAH. The results showed that compared with the control group, MCT- and hypoxia-induced increased the hemodynamic parameters and apoptosis. AS-IV can improve PAH, as characterized by decreased hemodynamic parameters, vascular wall area ratio (WA%), vascular wall thickness ratio (WT%) and α-SMA expression and inhibition of cell apoptosis. Moreover, the improvement of PAH by AS-IV was accompanied by increased CCN1 expression, which activated the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. Meanwhile, CCN1 and p-ERK1/2 were inhibited by siCCN1 and promoted by rCCN1. EGF not only activated the ERK1/2 signalling pathway but also induced the expression of CCN1. In conclusion, AS-IV improves PAH by increasing the expression of CCN1 and activating the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. The results of our study provide a theoretical basis for additional study on the protective effect of AS-IV against PAH.

Increased CYR61 expression activates CCND1/c-Myc pathway to promote nasal epithelial cells proliferation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

PURPOSE

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a chronic sinonasal inflammatory disease characterized histologically by hyperplastic nasal epithelium and epithelial cells proliferation. Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) acts as a positive regulator of cell cycle process. Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and c-Myc play key roles in the processes of cell cycle and cell growth. The purpose of our research was to explore the expression and roles of CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc in CRSwNP.

METHODS

FeaturePlot and vlnPlot functions embedded in the seurat package (version 4.1.1) of R software (version 4.2.0) were applied to explore the cellular distribution of CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc in the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset of nasal tissue samples. CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc immunolabeling and mRNA levels in nasal tissue samples were assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. Co-localization of CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc with basal epithelial cell marker P63 was assayed using double-label immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, we collected and cultured human nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) to assess the regulation and role of CYR61 in vitro study.

RESULTS

CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc were primarily expressed by nasal epithelial cells. Significant upregulation of CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc positive cells and increased levels of CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc mRNA were found in nasal polyps in comparison to control samples. Of note, CYR61 mRNA and protein levels were altered by SEB, LPS, IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-17A and TGF-β1 in HNEC. In addition, CYR61 intervention could increase CCND1 and c-Myc mRNA and protein levels to promote HNEC proliferation, and siRNA against ITGA2 (si-ITGA2) could reverse CYR61 induced upregulation of CCND1 and c-Myc mRNA and protein levels in HNEC and cell proliferation of HNEC.

CONCLUSIONS

CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc were primarily expressed by epithelial cells in nasal mucosa. CYR61, CCND1 and c-Myc expression levels were increased in CRSwNP compared with controls. CYR61 could interact with ITGA2 to enhance HNEC proliferation via upregulating CCND1 and c-Myc levels in the HNEC, leading to hyperplastic nasal epithelium in CRSwNP.

Senescence of Tumor Cells in Anticancer Therapy—Beneficial and Detrimental Effects

Cellular senescence process results in stable cell cycle arrest, which prevents cell proliferation. It can be induced by a variety of stimuli including metabolic stress, DNA damage, telomeres shortening, and oncogenes activation. Senescence is generally considered as a process of tumor suppression, both by preventing cancer cells proliferation and inhibiting cancer progression. It can also be a key effector mechanism for many types of anticancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, both directly and through bioactive molecules released by senescent cells that can stimulate an immune response. Senescence is characterized by a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that can have both beneficial and detrimental impact on cancer progression. Despite the negatives, attempts are still being made to use senescence to fight cancer, especially when it comes to senolytics. There is a possibility that a combination of prosenescence therapy—which targets tumor cells and causes their senescence—with senotherapy—which targets senescent cells, can be promising in cancer treatment. This review provides information on cellular senescence, its connection with carcinogenesis and therapeutic possibilities linked to this process.

Impact of smoking-induced dysregulated human miRNAs in chronic disease development and their potential use in prognostic and therapeutic purposes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionary conserved small noncoding RNA molecules with a significant ability to regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level either through translation repression or messenger RNA degradation. miRNAs are differentially expressed in various pathophysiological conditions, affecting the course of the disease by modulating several critical target genes. As the persistence of irreversible molecular changes caused by cigarette smoking is central to the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases, several studies have shown its direct correlation with the dysregulation of different miRNAs, affecting numerous essential biological processes. This review provides an insight into the current status of smoking-induced miRNAs dysregulation in chronic diseases such as COPD, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, and different cancers and explores the diagnostic/prognostic potential of miRNA-based biomarkers and their efficacy as therapeutic targets.

The CREB and AP-1-Dependent Cell Communication Network Factor 1 Regulates Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus-Induced Cell Apoptosis Inhibiting Virus Replication Through the p53 Pathway

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, and high mortality in sick pigs, causing huge economic losses to the pig industry. However, the relationship between cell communication network factor 1 (CCN1) and PEDV infection has not been reported. In this study, we showed that the expression of CCN1 was enhanced by PEDV infection, and we observed that PEDV promotes the CREB and AP-1 activation to promote CCN1 expression. The PKA and p38 inhibitors significantly suppress CCN1 expression, indicating that PEDV-induced CCN1 expression may be through PKA and p38 pathway. Further tests confirmed that CREB and AP-1 are regulated by PKA and p38, respectively. Overexpression of CCN1 decreased the replication of PEDV, whereas knockdown of CCN1 increased the replication of PEDV. We proved that the overexpression of CCN1 increased the phosphorylation level of p53, promoted the expresion of Bax and the cleavage of caspase 9 and caspase 3, and inhibited the production of Bcl-2. CCN1 knockdown decreased the phosphorylation level of p53, inhibited the production of Bax and the cleavage of caspase 9 and caspase 3, and promoted the expression of Bcl-2. The treatment of PFT-α (p53 inhibitor) significantly suppressed the expression of cleaved caspase 9 and caspase 3, leading to the decrease of apoptosis. Together, these studies showed that PEDV promotes the activation of CREB and AP-1 to increase the expression of CCN1. Overexpression of CCN1 promotes apoptosis by elevating p53 protein phosphorylation and inhibits PEDV replication, and knockdown of CCN1 inhibits apoptosis by decreasing p53 protein phosphorylation and promotes PEDV replication. Our study could provide some reference for the molecular mechanisms of PEDV-induced CCN1 induction and supply a new therapeutic target for PEDV.

Expression of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 in Gastric Cancer Predicts Overall Survival of Patients: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 proteins in gastric cancer tissues and analyze the relationship between these three proteins and the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study. Four hundred gastric cancer tissue specimens from patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in Zhangye People's Hospital affiliated to Hexi University between February 2013 and February 2021 underwent immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

The positive expression rates of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 in gastric cancer tissues were 55.5%, 56.5%, and 64.5%, respectively. The expressions of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 in gastric cancer tissues were significantly correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, and degree of differentiation (P < .05). The expression of Shh protein was positively correlated with the expression of Gli1 protein (P < .01), and the expression of Gli1 protein was positively correlated with the expression of Cyr61 protein (P < .01). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the expression of Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 could predict the prognosis of patients (P < .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis combined with TNM staging could better predict the three-year overall survival of patients (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Shh, Gli1, and Cyr61 proteins are significantly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and are risk factors for the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

Serum CYR61 Is Associated With Airway Inflammation and Is a Potential Biomarker for Severity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Cysteine-rich 61 (CYR61) and inflammation was upregulated in the lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the association between CYR61 and inflammation was unclear in COPD patients. This study aimed to analyze the association of serum CYR61 with pulmonary inflammation and lung function indexes in COPD patients. Methods: One hundred and fifty COPD patients and 150 control subjects were enrolled. Serum and pulmonary CYR61 was detected. Lung function indexes were evaluated in COPD patients. Results: Serum CYR61 level was elevated and pulmonary CYR61 expression was upregulated in COPD patients. An increased CYR61 was associated with decreased pulmonary function indexes in COPD patients. Further analyses showed that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65-positive nuclei was elevated in the lungs of COPD patients with high level of CYR61. Accordingly, serum monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), two downstream inflammatory cytokines of NF-κB pathway, were increased in parallel with CYR61, among which serum MCP-1 and TNF-α were the highest in COPD patients with high level of CYR61. Moreover, a positive correlation, determined by multivariate regression that excluded the influence of age, gender and smoking, was observed between serum CYR61 and inflammatory cytokines in COPD patients. Conclusion: These results provide evidence that an increased CYR61 is associated with pulmonary inflammation and COPD progression. Inflammatory cytokines may be the mediators between CYR61 elevation and COPD progression.

Blood-based detection of lung cancer using cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) as a circulating protein biomarker: a pilot study

Lung cancer is the most often diagnosed cancer and the main cause of cancer deaths in the world compared with other tumor entities. To date, the only screening method for high‐risk lung cancer patients is low‐dosed computed tomography which still suffers from high false‐positive rates and overdiagnosis. Therefore, there is an obvious need to identify biomarkers for the detection of lung cancer that could be used to guide the use of low‐dosed computed tomography or other imaging procedures. We aimed to assess the performance of the protein cysteine‐rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) as a circulating biomarker for the detection of lung cancer. CYR61 concentrations in plasma were significantly elevated in 87 lung cancer patients (13.7 ± 18.6 ng·mL⁻¹) compared with 150 healthy controls (0.29 ± 0.22 ng·mL⁻¹). Subset analysis stratified by sex revealed increased CYR61 concentrations for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in men compared with women. For male lung cancer patients versus male healthy controls, the sensitivity was 84% at a specificity of 100%, whereas for females, the sensitivity was 27% at a specificity of 99%. The determination of circulating CYR61 protein in plasma might improve the detection of lung cancer in men. The findings of this pilot study support further verification of CYR61 as a biomarker for lung cancer detection in men. Additionally, CYR61 is significantly elevated in women but sensitivity and specificity for CYR61 are too low for the improvement of the detection of lung cancer in women.