Intratumoral Restoration of miR-137 Plus Cholesterol Favors Homeostasis of the miR-137/Coactivator p160/AR Axis and Negatively Modulates Tumor Progression in Advanced Prostate Cancer

MiR-150 levels are related to in-hospital mortality in non-HIV Pneumocystis pneumonia patients

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection that occurs in immunocompromised patients. Compared with HIV patients, PCP in non-HIV patients tends to follow up a more urgent course and poorer prognosis. Therefore, markers that could predict survival of PCP patients in non-HIV population are of great value. MiRNA-150 has been widely studied in many diseases since it has been identified as a vital regulator of immune cell differentiation and activation. We thus conduct this study aiming to evaluate the prognostic value of miR-150 level in non-HIV PCP. First, the expression levels of miR-150 were compared between PCP patients and healthy volunteers. The miR-150 levels in immune cells were also detected in PCP mouse models. Then the prognostic value of miR-150 was further assessed in another PCP population (n = 72). The expression levels of miR-150 were measured by reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-PCR) technique. Our data demonstrated significantly decreased miR-150 expression levels in PCP patients and mouse models compared to controls. The miR-150 levels also decreased in various immune cells of PCP mouse models. With a cut-off value of 3.48, the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity of miR-150 to predicate PCP mortality were 0.845, 68.2% and 96.0%, respectively. In conclusion, miR-150 expression value might serve as a potential biomarker to identify PCP patients at high risk of death.

Mechanistic insights into the ameliorative effects of Xianglianhuazhuo formula on chronic atrophic gastritis through ferroptosis mediated by YY1/miR-320a/TFRC signal pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xianglianhuazhuo formula (XLHZ) has a potential therapeutic effect on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). However, the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the effect of XLHZ on CAG in vitro and in vivo and its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

A rat model of CAG was established using a composite modeling method, and the pathological changes and ultrastructure of gastric mucosa were observed. YY1/miR-320a/TFRC and ferroptosis-related molecules were detected. An MNNG-induced gastric epithelial cell model was established in vitro to evaluate the inhibitory effect of XLHZ on cell ferroptosis by observing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and molecules related to ferroptosis. The specific mechanism of action of XLHZ in treating CAG was elucidated by silencing or overexpression of targets.

RESULTS

In vivo experiments showed that XLHZ could improve the pathological status and ultrastructure of gastric mucosa and inhibit ferroptosis by regulating the YY1/miR-320a/TFRC signaling pathway. The results in vitro demonstrated that transfection of miR-320a mimics inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting cell apoptosis. MiR-320a targeted TFRC and inhibited ferroptosis. Overexpression of TFRC reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-320a overexpression on cell proliferation. The effect of XLHZ was consistent with that of miR-320a. YY1 targeted miR-320a, and its overexpression promoted ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

XLHZ inhibited ferroptosis by regulating the YY1/miR-320a/TFRC signaling pathway, ultimately impeding the progression of CAG.

Enhancing RECK Expression Through miR-21 Inhibition: A Promising Strategy for Bladder Carcinoma Control

Bladder carcinoma (BC) is the tenth most frequent malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite recent treatment advances, high-grade BC and muscle-invasive BC present with significant progression and recurrence rates, urging the need for alternative treatments. The microRNA-21 (miR-21) has superexpression in many malignancies and is associated with cellular invasion and progression. One of its mechanisms of action is the regulation of RECK, a tumor suppressor gene responsible for inhibiting metalloproteinases, including MMP9. In a high-grade urothelial cancer cell line, we aimed to assess if miR-21 downregulation would promote RECK expression and decrease MMP9 expression. We also evaluated cellular migration and proliferation potential by inhibition of this pathway. In a T24 cell line, we inhibited miR-21 expression by transfection of a specific microRNA inhibitor (anti-miR-21). There were also control and scramble groups, the last with a negative microRNA transfected. After the procedure, we performed a genetic expression analysis of miR-21, RECK, and MMP9 through qPCR. Migration, proliferation, and protein expression were evaluated via wound healing assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence.After anti-miR-21 transfection, miR-21 expression decreased with RECK upregulation and MMP9 downregulation. The immunofluorescence assay showed a significant increase in RECK protein expression (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in MMP9 protein expression (p = 0.0101). The anti-miR-21 transfection significantly reduced cellular migration in the wound healing assay (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, in the colony formation assay, the anti-miR-21 group demonstrated reduced cellular proliferation (p = 0.0008), also revealed in the cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry (p = 0.0038). Our results corroborate the hypothesis that miR-21 is associated with BC cellular migration and proliferation, revealing its potential as a new effective treatment for this pathology.

miRNA-137-5p improves spatial memory and cognition in Alzheimer's mice by targeting ubiquitin-specific peptidase 30

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder causing progressive dementia. Research suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) could serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AD. Reduced levels of miR-137 have been observed in the brains of AD patients, but its specific role and downstream mechanisms remain unclear. This study sought to examine the therapeutic potential of miR-137-5p agomir in alleviating cognitive dysfunction induced in AD models and explore its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

This study utilized bioinformatic analysis and a dual-luciferase reporter assay to investigate the relationship between miR-137-5p and ubiquitin-specific peptidase 30 (USP30). In vitro experiments were conducted using SH-SY5Y cells to assess the impact of miR-137-5p on Aβ1-42 neurotoxicity. In vivo experiments on AD mice evaluated the effects of miR-137-5p on cognition, Aβ1-42 deposition, Tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuronal apoptosis, as well as its influence on USP30 levels.

RESULTS

It was discovered that miR-137-5p mimics efficiently counteract Aβ1-42 neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, a protective effect that is negated by USP30 overexpression. In vivo experiments demonstrated that miR-137-5p enhances the cognition and mobility of AD mice, significantly reducing Aβ1-42 deposition, Tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuronal apoptosis within the hippocampus and cortex regions. Mechanistically, miR-137-5p significantly suppresses USP30 levels in mice, though USP30 overexpression partially buffers against miR-137-5p-induced AD symptom improvement.

CONCLUSION

Our study proposes that miR-137-5p, by instigating the downregulation of USP30, has the potential to act as a novel and promising therapeutic target for AD.