The siRNA-Mediated Down-Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor1

Advances in RNAi therapies for gastric cancer: Targeting drug resistance and nanoscale delivery

Gastric cancer poses a significant health challenge, and exploring innovative therapeutic strategies is imperative. RNA interference (RNAi) has employed as an important therapeutic strategy for diseases by selectively targeting key pathways involved in diseases pathogenesis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA), a potent RNAi tool, possesses the capability to silence genes and downregulate their expression. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the potential applications of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and short hairpin RNA (shRNA), supplemented by an in-depth analysis of nanoscale delivery systems, in the context of gastric cancer treatment. The potential of siRNA to markedly diminish the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells through the modulation of critical molecular pathways, including PI3K, Akt, and EMT, is highlighted. Besides, siRNA demonstrates its efficacy in inducing chemosensitivity in gastric tumor cells, thus impeding tumor progression. However, the translational potential of unmodified siRNA faces challenges, particularly in vivo and during clinical trials. To address this, we underscore the pivotal role of nanostructures in facilitating the delivery of siRNA to gastric cancer cells, effectively suppressing their progression and enhancing gene silencing efficiency. These siRNA-loaded nanoparticles exhibit robust internalization into gastric cancer cells, showcasing their potential to significantly reduce tumor progression. The translation of these findings into clinical trials holds promise for advancing the treatment of gastric cancer patients.

Multifunctional nanocarriers for delivering siRNA and miRNA in glioblastoma therapy: advances in nanobiotechnology-based cancer therapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most lethal cancer due to poor diagnosis and rapid resistance developed towards the drug. Genes associated to cancer-related overexpression of proteins, enzymes, and receptors can be suppressed using an RNA silencing technique. This assists in obtaining tumour targetability, resulting in less harm caused to the surrounding healthy cells. RNA interference (RNAi) has scientific basis for providing potential therapeutic applications in improving GBM treatment. However, the therapeutic application of RNAi is challenging due to its poor permeability across blood-brain barrier (BBB). Nanobiotechnology has evolved the use of nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, dendrimers, quantum dots and other nanostructures in encasing the RNAi entities like siRNA and miRNA. The review highlights the role of these carriers in encasing siRNA and miRNA and promising therapy in delivering them to the glioma cells.

Traditional Chinese Medicine ShenZhuGuanXin Granules Mitigate Cardiac Dysfunction and Promote Myocardium Angiogenesis in Myocardial Infarction Rats by Upregulating PECAM-1/CD31 and VEGF Expression

Background

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the main cause of global mortality and morbidity despite the development of therapeutic approaches. ShenZhuGuanXin granules (SG) have been shown to possess cardioprotective effects against coronary heart disease (CHD). However, little is known about its specific mechanism. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of SG in cardiac dysfunction and to demonstrate whether SG can promote myocardium angiogenesis by establishing a rat model of myocardial infarction with left anterior descending ligating.

Methods and Results

Three days after MI, rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham group (sham), MI group (MI), MI + low dose SG (SG-L) group, MI + middle dose SG (SG-M) group, MI + high dose SG (SG-H) group, and MI + compound Danshen dropping pills (CDDP) group as a positive control. Four weeks after administration, rats underwent hemodynamics and echocardiography study. Ventricle tissues were processed for histology and immunohistochemistry studies. Compared with MI group, SG treatment dose-dependently improved cardiac hemodynamic function, attenuated infarct size, increased microvessel density, and increased the expression of PECAM-1/CD31 and VEGF.

Conclusions

SG dose-dependently improved cardiac hemodynamic function and attenuated infarct size by promoting angiogenesis through upregulating PECAM-1/CD31 and VEGF expression.

Inhibition of AGS Cancer Cell Proliferation following siRNA-Mediated Downregulation of VEGFR2

Objective

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) play important roles in angiogenesis of different developmental mechanisms such as wound healing, embryogenesis and diseases, including different types of cancer. VEGFR2 is associated with cell proliferation, migration, and vascular permeability of endothelial cells. Blocking VEGF and its receptors is suggested as a therapeutic approach to prevent tumor growth. In this study, we aim to block VEGF signaling via small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibition of VEGFR2.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, we used the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism to suppress expression of the VEGFR2 gene. We conducted the 3-(4,5-di- methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, and flow cytometry analyses of VEGFR2 expression.

Results

Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that VEGFR2 expression significantly downregulated. This suppression was followed by inhibition of cell prolifera- tion, reduction of viability, and induction of apoptosis in the cancer cells.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that VEGFR2 has a role in cell proliferation and tumor growth. Accordingly, it is suggested that VEGFR2 can be a therapeutic target for controlling tumor growth and proliferation.