High-throughput sequencing analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs and target genes in ischemia/reperfusion injury and apelin-13 neuroprotection

Targeted drug delivery of engineered mesenchymal stem/stromal-cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular disease: recent trends and future perspectives

In recent years, stem cells and their secretomes, notably exosomes, have received considerable attention in biomedical applications. Exosomes are cellular secretomes used for intercellular communication. They perform the function of intercellular messengers by facilitating the transport of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and therapeutic substances. Their biocompatibility, minimal immunogenicity, targetability, stability, and engineerable characteristics have additionally led to their application as drug delivery vehicles. The therapeutic efficacy of exosomes can be improved through surface modification employing functional molecules, including aptamers, antibodies, and peptides. Given their potential as targeted delivery vehicles to enhance the efficiency of treatment while minimizing adverse effects, exosomes exhibit considerable promise. Stem cells are considered advantageous sources of exosomes due to their distinctive characteristics, including regenerative and self-renewal capabilities, which make them well-suited for transplantation into injured tissues, hence promoting tissue regeneration. However, there are notable obstacles that need to be addressed, including immune rejection and ethical problems. Exosomes produced from stem cells have been thoroughly studied as a cell-free strategy that avoids many of the difficulties involved with cell-based therapy for tissue regeneration and cancer treatment. This review provides an in-depth summary and analysis of the existing knowledge regarding exosomes, including their engineering and cardiovascular disease (CVD) treatment applications.

Recent Advances of Using Exosomes as Diagnostic Markers and Targeting Carriers for Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of human death worldwide. Exosomes act as endogenous biological vectors; they possess advantages of low immunogenicity and low safety risks, also providing tissue selectivity, including the inherent targeting the to heart. Therefore, exosomes not only have been applied as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic outcome confirmation but also showed potential as drug carriers for cardiovascular targeting delivery. This review aims to summarize the progress and challenges of exosomes as novel biomarkers, especially many novel exosomal noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), and also provides an overview of the improved targeting functions of exosomes by unique engineered approaches, the latest developed administration methods, and the therapeutic effects of exosomes used as the biocarriers of medications for cardiovascular disease treatment. Also, the possible therapeutic mechanisms and the potentials for transferring exosomes to the clinic for CVD treatment are discussed. The advances, in vivo and in vitro applications, modifications, mechanisms, and challenges summarized in this review will provide a general understanding of this promising strategy for CVD treatment.

MicroRNA-16 represses granulosa cell proliferation in polycystic ovarian syndrome through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway by downregulation of Apelin13

This study aimed to uncover the specific role of micro RNA-16 (miR-16) in granulosa cell function in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). After sample collection, the expression levels of miR-16 and Apelin13 in the granulosa cells of PCOS patients and controls were determined. Subsequently, miR-16 mimic, miR-16 inhibitor, pcDNA3.1-Apelin13, sh-Apelin13, and their corresponding negative controls were transfected into granulosa cell lines (KGN and SVOG) to monitor alterations in miR-16 expression, Apelin13, and PI3K/Akt signalling pathway-related proteins (p-Akt and Akt). MTT assay was used to detect cell viability, clone formation assay to detect cell proliferation, and flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis rate. In addition, a luciferase assay was performed to test the targeting relationship between miR-16 and Apelin13. After miR-16 overexpression or Apelin13 knockdown was achieved in granulosa cells, granulosa cell proliferation was suppressed and cell apoptosis was enhanced. Additionally, Apelin13 is a potential target of miR-16. Functionally, overexpression of Apelin13 could partly reverse the effect of miR-16 overexpression on granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, inhibits granulosa cell proliferation and enhances blocking the PI3K/Akt pathway by suppressing Apelin13. Our study revealed miR-16 regulates Apelin13 to mediate the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and, thereby mediates PCOS progression.

Apelin/APJ system: an emerging therapeutic target for neurological diseases

Apelin, an endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ, is extensively expressed in various systems, especially the nervous system. This article reviews the role of apelin/APJ system in neurological diseases. In detail, apelin/APJ system can relieve acute brain injury including subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic stroke. Also, apelin/APJ system has therapeutic effects on chronic neurodegenerative disease models, involving the regulation of neurotrophic factors, neuroendocrine, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and autophagy. In addition, through different routes of administration, apelin/APJ system has a biphasic effect on depression, epilepsy, and pain. However, apelin/APJ system exacerbates the proliferation and invasion of glioblastoma. Thus, apelin/APJ system is expected to be a therapeutic target for the treatment of nervous system diseases.

The Apelin/APJ System in Psychosis and Neuropathy

Apelin, an endogenous neuropeptide, has been identified as the cognate ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor APJ. Apelin, APJ messenger RNA, and protein are widely expressed in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues of humans and animals. The apelin/APJ system has been implicated in diverse physiological and pathological processes. The present article reviews the progress of the latest research investigating the apelin/APJ system in pain, depression, anxiety, memory, epilepsy, neuroprotection, stroke, and brain injury and protection, and highlights its promising potential as a therapeutic target for treatment of psychosis and neuropathy.

The cross-talk between adipokines and miRNAs in health and obesity-mediated diseases

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have revealed a direct correlation between obesity and the development of multiple comorbidities, including metabolic diseases, cardiovascular disorders, chronic inflammatory disease, and cancers. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the link between obesity and the progression of these diseases is not completely understood. Adipokines are factors that are secreted by adipocytes and play a key role in whole body homeostasis. Collaboratively, miRNAs are suggested to have key functions in the development of obesity and obesity-related disorders. Based on recently emerging evidence, obesity leads to the dysregulation of both adipokines and obesity-related miRNAs. In the present study, we described the correlations between obesity and its related diseases that are mediated by the mutual regulatory effects of adipokines and miRNAs.

METHODS

We reviewed current knowledge of the modulatory effects of adipokines on miRNAs activity and their relevant functions in pathological conditions and vice versa.

RESULTS

Our research reveals the ability of adipokines and miRNAs to control the expression and activity of the other class of molecules, and their effects on obesity-related diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

This study may help researchers develop a roadmap for future investigations and provide opportunities to develop new therapeutic and diagnostic methods for treating obesity-related diseases.

Differential expression profile analysis of cisplatin‑regulated miRNAs in a human gastric cancer cell line

Cisplatin, one of the most commonly used drugs in combination chemotherapy, is an effective anti‑tumor agent widely used for diverse tumor types. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are involved in the occurrence, development, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to explore whether cisplatin exerts anticancer effects by causing differential expression of miRNAs in human gastric cancer cells. The human gastric cancer cell line NCI‑N87 was cultured with a certain dose of cisplatin and high‑throughput sequencing combined with reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) was performed to detect cisplatin‑regulated miRNAs. miRNAs upregulated and downregulated following cisplatin exposure were analyzed. High‑throughput sequencing revealed 33 upregulated and 16 downregulated miRNAs. A total of five significantly upregulated and five significantly downregulated miRNAs were identified by RT‑qPCR. The expression levels of hsa‑miR‑1246 and hsa‑miR‑892b were consistent with the results obtained from high‑throughput sequencing. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway clustering of cisplatin‑regulated miRNAs revealed that the miRNAs regulated genes involved in several biological processes and signaling pathways. The results obtained in the current study suggested that cisplatin may exert an important anticancer effect in gastric cancer via complex biological processes and signaling pathways.