miR‑92a‑3p regulates trypsinogen activation via Egr1 in AR42J cells

Transcription Factor EGR1 Facilitates Neovascularization in Mice with Retinopathy of Prematurity by Regulating the miR-182-5p/EFNA5 Axis

Neovascularization is the hallmark of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Early growth response 1 (EGR1) has been reported as an angiogenic factor. This study was conducted to probe the regulatory mechanism of EGR1 in neovascularization in ROP model mice. The ROP mouse model was established, followed by determination of EGR1 expression and assessment of neovascularization [vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF)]. Retinal vascular endothelial cells were cultured and treated with hypoxia, followed by the tube formation assay. The state of oxygen induction was assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot assay to determine hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1A). The levels of microRNA (miRNA)-182-5p and ephrin-A5 (EFNA5) in tissues and cells were determined by RT-qPCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assay were used to validate gene interaction. EGR1 and EFNA5 were upregulated in the retina of ROP mice while miR-182-5p was downregulated. EGR1 knockdown decreased VEGF-A and HIF-1A expression and increased PEDF expression in the retina of ROP mice. In vitro, EGR1 knockdown also reduced neovascularization. EGR1 binding to the miR-182-5p promoter inhibited miR-182-5p transcription and further promoted EFNA5 transcription. miR-182-5p downregulation or EFNA5 overexpression averted the inhibition of neovascularization caused by EGR1 downregulation. Overall, EGR1 bound to the miR-182-5p promoter to inhibit miR-182-5p transcription and further promoted EFNA5 transcription, thus promoting retinal neovascularization in ROP mice.

miR-455-3p ameliorates pancreatic acinar cell injury by targeting Slc2a1

Objective

With the number of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) increasing year by year, it is pressing to explore new key genes and markers for the treatment of AP. miR-455-3p/solute carrier family 2 member 1 (Slc2a1) obtained through bioinformatics analysis may participate in the progression of AP.

Materials and Methods

The C57BL/6 mouse model of AP was constructed for subsequent studies. Through bioinformatics analysis, the differentially expressed genes related to AP were screened and hub genes were identified. A caerulein-induced AP animal model was constructed to detect the pathological changes of mouse pancreas by HE staining. The concentrations of amylase and lipase were measured. Primary mouse pancreatic acinar cells were isolated and subjected to microscopy to observe their morphology. The enzymatic activities of trypsin and amylase were detected. The secretion of inflammatory cytokines in mouse were measured with the ELISA kits of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β to determine pancreatic acinar cell damage. A binding site between the Slc2a1 3' UTR region and the miR-455-3p sequence was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The expression of miR-455-3p was quantified by qRT-PCR, and Slc2a1 were detected by western blot.

Results

A total of five (Fyn, Gadd45a, Sdc1, Slc2a1, and Src) were identified by bioinformatics analysis, and miR-455-3p/Slc2a1 were further studied. HE staining results showed that the AP models were successfully established by caerulein induction. In mice with AP, the expression of miR-455-3p was reduced, while that of Slc2a1 was increased. In the caerulein-induced cell model, the expression of Slc2a1 was significantly reduced after intervention of miR-455-3p mimics, whereas increased after miR-455-3p inhibitor treatment. miR-455-3p decreased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in the cell supernatant, reduced the activity of trypsin and amylase, and alleviated the cell damage induced by caerulein. In addition, Slc2a1 3'UTR region was bound by miR-455-3p, and its protein expression was also regulated.

Conclusion

miR-455-3p alleviated caerulein-induced mouse pancreatic acinar cell damage by regulating the expression of Slc2a1.

MicroRNA-mRNA networks are dysregulated in opioid use disorder postmortem brain: Further evidence for opioid-induced neurovascular alterations

INTRODUCTION

To understand mechanisms and identify potential targets for intervention in the current crisis of opioid use disorder (OUD), postmortem brains represent an under-utilized resource. To refine previously reported gene signatures of neurobiological alterations in OUD from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann Area 9, BA9), we explored the role of microRNAs (miRNA) as powerful epigenetic regulators of gene function.

METHODS

Building on the growing appreciation that miRNAs can cross the blood-brain barrier, we carried out miRNA profiling in same-subject postmortem samples from BA9 and blood tissues.

RESULTS

miRNA-mRNA network analysis showed that even though miRNAs identified in BA9 and blood were fairly distinct, their target genes and corresponding enriched pathways overlapped strongly. Among the dominant enriched biological processes were tissue development and morphogenesis, and MAPK signaling pathways. These findings point to robust, redundant, and systemic opioid-induced miRNA dysregulation with a potential functional impact on transcriptomic changes. Further, using correlation network analysis, we identified cell-type specific miRNA targets, specifically in astrocytes, neurons, and endothelial cells, associated with OUD transcriptomic dysregulation. Finally, leveraging a collection of control brain transcriptomes from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project, we identified a correlation of OUD miRNA targets with TGF beta, hypoxia, angiogenesis, coagulation, immune system, and inflammatory pathways.

DISCUSSION

These findings support previous reports of neurovascular and immune system alterations as a consequence of opioid abuse and shed new light on miRNA network regulators of cellular response to opioid drugs.

Protective Effect of miR-193a-5p and miR-320-5p on Caerulein-Induced Injury in AR42J Cells

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis is a common inflammatory disease. MicroRNAs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the precise roles of miR-193a-5p and miR-320-5p in AP.

METHODS

The levels of miR-193a-5p, miR-320-5p and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-8 production, amylase activity, and malondialdehyde content. Targeted relationship between miR-193a-5p or miR-320-5p and TRAF3 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays.

RESULTS

Our data showed that miR-193a-5p and miR-320-5p were down-regulated in acute pancreatitis serum and caerulein-treated AR42J cells. The increased expression of miR-193a-5p or miR-320-5p alleviated caerulein-induced cell injury in AR42J cells. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 was a direct target of miR-193a-5p and miR-320-5p in AR42J cells. Moreover, miR-193a-5p and miR-320-5p regulated caerulein-induced AR42J cells injury through targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3.

CONCLUSION

The present findings demonstrated that miR-193a-5p and miR-320-5p protected AR42J cells against caerulein-induced cell injury by targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3, highlighting their roles as potential therapeutic targets for acute pancreatitis treatment.