lncRNA‑NR024118 overexpression reverses LPS‑induced inflammatory injury and apoptosis via NF‑κB/Nrf2 signaling in ATDC5 chondrocytes

Application of 3D bioprinting technology apply to assessing Dangguiniantongtang (DGNT) decoctions in arthritis

The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) cell model in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a traditional Chinese medicine decoction in the treatment of arthritis. Chondrocytes (ATDC5) and osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) were 3D printed separately using methacryloyl gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel bioinks to mimic the natural 3D cell environment. Both cell types showed good biocompatibility in GelMA. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added to the cell models to create inflammation models, which resulted in increased expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6, and decreased expression of cell functional genes such as Collagen II (COLII), transcription factor SOX-9 (Sox9), Aggrecan, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), RUNX family transcription factor 2 (Runx2), Collagen I (COLI), Osteopontin (OPN), and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). The created inflammation model was then used to evaluate the effectiveness of Dangguiniantongtang (DGNT) decoctions. The results showed that DGNT reduced the expression of inflammatory factors and increased the expression of functional genes in the cell model. In summary, this study established a 3D cell model to assess the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions, characterized the gene expression profile of the inflammatory state model, and provided a practical reference for future research on TCM efficacy evaluation for arthritis treatment.

Long noncoding RNAs in mesenchymal stromal/stem cells osteogenic differentiation: Implications in osteoarthritis pathogenesis

This letter focuses on a recently published article that provided an exceptional description of the effect of epigenetic modifications on gene expression patterns related to skeletal system remodeling. Specifically, it discusses a novel modality of epigenetic regulation, the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and provides evidence of their involvement in mesenchymal stromal/stem cells osteo-/adipo-genic differentiation balance. Despite focus on lncRNAs, there is an emerging cross talk between lncRNAs and miRNAs interaction as a novel mechanism in the regulation of the function of the musculoskeletal system, by controlling bone homeostasis and bone regeneration, as well as the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. Thus, we touched on some examples to demonstrate this interaction. In addition, we believe there is still much to discover from the effects of lncRNAs on progenitor and non-progenitor cell differentiation. We incorporated data from other published articles to review lncRNAs in normal progenitor cell osteogenic differentiation, determined lncRNAs involved in osteoarthritis pathogenesis in progenitor cells, and provided a review of lncRNAs in non-progenitor cells that are differentially regulated in osteoarthritis. In conclusion, we really enjoyed reading this article and with this information we hope to further our understanding of lncRNAs and mesenchymal stromal/stem cells regulation.

Crosstalk Among circRNA/lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease that is pervasive in life, and the incidence and mortality of OA are increasing, causing many adverse effects on people's life. Therefore, it is very vital to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of OA. ncRNA is a nonprotein-coding RNA that does not translate into proteins but participates in protein translation. At the RNA level, it can perform biological functions. Many studies have found that miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA are closely related to the course of OA and play important regulatory roles in transcription, post-transcription, and post-translation, which can be used as biological targets for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of OA. In this review, we summarized and described the various roles of different types of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in OA, the roles of different lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis in OA, and the possible prospects of these ncRNAs in clinical application.

The Emerging Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OS) is the most frequent degenerative condition in the joints, disabling many adults. Several abnormalities in the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial tissue, and meniscus have been detected in the course of OA. Destruction of articular cartilage, the formation of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, and hyperplasia of synovial tissue are hallmarks of OA. More recently, several investigations have underscored the regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in OA development. Different classes of non-coding RNAs, including long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), have been reported to affect the development of OA. The expression level of these transcripts has also been used as diagnostic tools in OA. In the present article, we aimed at reporting the role of these transcripts in this process. We need to give a specific angle on the pathology to provide meaningful thoughts on it.

LncRNA NR024118 is downregulated in sepsis and inhibits LPS‑induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes

It has been reported that lncRNA-NR024118 can suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses, which promote sepsis. The present study aimed to investigate the involvement of NR024118 in sepsis. Research subjects included 82 patients with sepsis without myocardial dysfunction (MD), 35 patients with sepsis with MD and 82 healthy controls. The expression levels of NR024118 in plasma collected from these participants and LPS-induced AC16 cells were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The expression levels of IL-16 in these plasma samples and LPS-induced AC16 cells were measured by ELISA. The correlation between the expression levels of NR024118 and IL-6 across plasma samples were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. The action potential duration (APD) was measured at 50 and 90% repolarization. Cell apoptosis was determined by cell apoptosis assay. The expression levels of p-transcription factor p65 were detected by western blot analysis. NF-κB activity were analyzed by luciferase reporter assay. It was found that NR024118 was downregulated and IL-6 was upregulated in the plasma of patients with sepsis. Among patients with sepsis, the individuals with MD exhibited even lower expression levels of NR024118 and higher expression levels of IL-6. Among patients with sepsis with MD, the expression levels of NR024118 and IL-6 were inversely correlated. LPS could induce MD to construct the sepsis models based on the increased expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and shortened APD by LPS-mediated induction. Overexpression of NR024118 significantly reduced the secretion of IL-6 and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes under LPS treatment. Functional studies demonstrated that NR024118 had negative regulation on p65 phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. NR024118 was suppressed in sepsis and inhibited LPS-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Purified Sika deer antler protein attenuates GM-induced nephrotoxicity by activating Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting NF-κB pathway

Although gentamicin is widely used as an antibiotic in clinical practice, it also has some side-effects, such as acute kidney injury, which is a common condition caused by the abuse of gentamicin. Sika deer antler protein (SDAPR) can antagonize drug-induced AKI. Since SDAPR is recognized as an effective part of velvet antler, its components were further separated. Two components named SDAP1 and SDAP2 were obtained. The protective effects of SDAPR, SDAP1 and SDAP2 on GM-induced cytotoxicity to HEK293 and its potential mechanisms were studied. MTT and xCELLigence Real-Time cell analysis showed that SDAPR, SDAP1 and SDAP2 could protect HEK293 cells from GM toxicity. Similarly, SDAPR, SDAP1 and SDAP2 can reduce ROS level, reduce oxidative stress and improve inflammation Further studies have shown that SDAPR, SDAP1 and SDAP2 upregulate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway by increasing the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, and down-regulate the NF-κB pathway by reducing the protein expression of NF-κB. Annexin V/PI flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining showed that SDAPR, SDAP1 and SDAP2 inhibited GM-induced apoptosis in HEK293 cells. Western blot analysis showed SDAPR, SDAP1 and SDAP2 decreased expression level of Bax and Cleaved-caspase-3, and increased the expression level of Bcl-2. In addition, we examined the feasibility of SDAP1 and SDAP1 to avoid kidney injury in a GM mouse model. In conclusion, SDAPR, SDAP1 and SDAP2 can be used to prevent GM-induced HEK293 cytotoxicity, probably because they have strong anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. And SDAP1 and SDAP2 can inhibit GM-induced acute kidney injury in mice.