Search

Purpose: Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the possible involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been scarcely investigated. This systematic review aims to search through research papers that are focusing on messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression profile in EMT in fistula or in intestinal fibrosis.Methods: Electronic exploration was performed until April 24, 2019 through PubMed, Ovid, Science Direct, and Scopus databases with the terms of “fistula” OR “intestinal fibrosis” AND “epithelial-mesenchymal transition”. Two independent reviewers scrutinized the suitability of the title and abstract before examining the full text that met the inclusion criteria. For each study, the sample types that were used, methods for analysis, and genes expressed were identified. The list of genes was further analyzed using DAVID (Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway.Results: There were 896 citations found; however, only 3 studies fulfilled the requirements. Among the EMT-related genes, 5 were upregulated genes at mRNA level while 6 were at protein level. However, only 2 downregulated genes were found at each mRNA and protein level. Of the 4 inflammation-related genes found, 3 genes were upregulated at mRNA level and 1 at protein level. These genes were confirmed to be involved in the development of inflammatory induced fibrosis and fistula through EMT. Results from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis were consistent with the process of EMT, confirmed by the western blot protein analysis.Conclusion: Many significant genes which are involved in the process of EMT in fistula and intestinal fibrosis have been identified. With high-end technology many more genes could be identified. These genes will be good molecular targets in the development of biomarkers for precision drug targeting in the future treatment of intestinal fibrosis and fistula.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common tumor found worldwide, and cisplatin is the first-line agent for the treatment of GC. However, the resistance to cisplatin is an obstacle. Here, we aim to explore the biological mechanism of long noncoding RNA regulator of reprogramming (ROR) in the cisplatin resistance of GC. Materials and Methods: ROR, miR-519d-3p, and high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) expression in GC tissues and cells were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The relative protein expression was detected by Western blot. The interactions between miR-519d-3p and ROR, HMGA2 were predicted using miRcode and starBase v2.0 online database, and then verified by dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. In addition, the xenograft tumor mouse model was constructed to verify the biological role of ROR in vivo. Results: The levels of ROR, HMGA2 were significantly upregulated, and miR-519d-3p was apparently downregulated in GC tissues and cells. The miRcode and starBase v2.0 online websites and dual luciferase reporter assay validated that miR-519d-3p directly interacted with ROR and HMGA2. Furthermore, ROR knockdown downregulated HMGA2 to restrain cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cisplatin resistance in GC cells by targeting miR-519d-3p. In addition, the depletion of ROR repressed the xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: In conclusion, we first found the ROR/miR-519d-3p/HMGA2 regulatory network to regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and cisplatin resistance in GC, and this may shed light on the GC tumorigenesis.

Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. miR-637 has been reported to regulate tumor progression and act as a prognosis biomarker of various cancers. Its functional role in NSCLC was investigated in this study. Methods The expression level of miR-637 in NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 123 NSCLC patients was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The association between miR-637 and clinical pathological features in the prognosis of patients was analyzed. Cell transfection was performed to overexpress or knockdown miR-637 in H1299 and HCC827. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of H1299 and HCC827 were evaluated by CCK8 and Transwell assay. Results miR-637 expression was significantly decreased in NSCLC tissues and cell lines relative to normal tissues and cells. The survival rate of NSCLC patients with low miR-637 expression was lower than that of patients with high miR-637 expression. Additionally, miR-637 served as a tumor suppressor that inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC. Conclusion Downregulation of miR-637 in NSCLC was associated with TNM stage and poor prognosis of patients and served as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC. These results provide a potential strategy to control NSCLC.

Background: Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance plays a critical role in the treatment of glioma. This research tries to explore how circRNAs affect the chemosensitivity of glioma cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, the authors performed gene sequencing and selected circRNAs specifically expressed in TMZ-R cells and used them as target genes for subsequent studies. By knocking out the target gene, the authors clarify its effect on TMZ-R glioma proliferation, invasion, migration, and cell apoptosis; and through tumor-burdened animals, the authors explore the effect of the target gene in an in vivo environment. Results: In this research, the authors revealed that circ-GLIS3 was significantly upregulated in TMZ-R glioma cells. Functionally, knocking down circ-GLIS3 could inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities of TMZ-R glioma cells. Moreover, downregulation of circ-GLIS3 could induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, while miR-548m inhibition and MED31 mRNA could reverse this progress. In the in vivo condition, silencing of circ-GLIS3 could induce cell apoptosis and suppressed tumor growth. Mechanistically, circ-GLIS3 positively upregulated MED31 expression by sponging miR-548m. Conclusions: All these research findings demonstrate that circ-GLIS3 accelerates TMZ-R glioma progression through the miR-548m/MED31 axis.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant public problem and the third cause of cancer-induced death all over the world. In addition, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been reported as a vital mediator in human cancer. However, the precise role of lncRNA myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) in CRC is unclear. Methods: The abundance of MIAT, miR-488-3p, and the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. The western blot assay was carried out to assess the protein level in CRC samples or control group. The cell activity, abilities of migration and invasion, and glycolysis were evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazol-3-ium bromide (MTT), transwell, and testing glucose consumption and lactate product, correspondingly. The target association between miR-488-3p, MIAT, or IGF1R was predicted and established by bioinformatics tools, dual-luciferase reporter, and RNA pull-down assays, correspondingly. The effects of MIAT silencing in vivo were analyzed by animal experiments. Results: LncRNA MIAT was upregulated in CRC sample and that was positively correlated with IGF1R expression. Loss-of-functional assay suggested that knockdown of MIAT impeded cell activity, migration, invasion, and glycolysis of CRC cells in vivo, along with xenograft growth in vivo. Moreover, silencing of IGF1R inhibited the progression of CRC. Therefore, overexpression of IGF1R could abolish silencing of MIAT-induced effects on CRC cells. Mechanistically, MIAT was a sponge for miR-488-3p, thereby regulating IGF1R expression in CRC. Conclusion: The present study confirmed that the "MIAT/miR-488-3p/IGF1R" pathway was involved in the development of CRC, which may be the target for developing therapeutic approaches for CRC.

Translation modulates the timing and amplification of gene expression after transcription. Brain development requires uniquely complex gene expression patterns, but large-scale measurements of translation directly in the prenatal brain are lacking. We measure the reactants, synthesis, and products of translation spanning mouse neocortex neurogenesis, and discover a transient window of dynamic regulation at mid-gestation. Timed translation upregulation of chromatin binding proteins like Satb2, which is essential for neuronal subtype differentiation, restricts protein expression in neuronal lineages despite broad transcriptional priming in progenitors. In contrast, translation downregulation of ribosomal proteins sharply decreases ribosome number, coinciding with a major shift in protein synthesis dynamics at mid-gestation. Changing levels of eIF4EBP1, a direct inhibitor of ribosomal protein translation, are concurrent with ribosome downregulation and controls Satb2 fate acquisition during neuronal differentiation. Thus, the refinement of transcriptional programs by translation is central to the molecular logic of brain development. Modeling of the developmental neocortex translatome is provided as an open-source searchable resource: https://shiny.mdc-berlin.de/cortexomics/.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy worldwide. Matrine can act as a potential antitumor drug, and its antitumor activities have been tested in various cancers, including CRC. However, the effect of matrine and the related mechanisms on CRC cells remains poorly defined. Materials and Methods: CRC cells were treated with different concentrations of matrine, and then MTT, flow cytometric, and transwell assays were used to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. MiR-10b-5p and Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay. The binding interaction of miR-10b-5p and PTEN were predicted by TargetScan and verified by a dual-luciferase reporter and RIP assay. The effect of matrine, miR-10b-5p, and PTEN on CRC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion was detected by MTT, flow cytometric, and transwell assays severally. Results: Matrine notably restrained proliferation, invasion, and migration and boosted apoptosis of CRC cells, as well as downregulated miR-10b-5p expression and upregulated PTEN protein level. PTEN was a direct target of miR-10b-5p in CRC cells. MiR-10b-5p knockdown and matrine treatment inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced apoptosis, and reintroduction of si-PTEN partly regained the inhibiting effect. Besides, MiR-10b-5p knockdown and matrine treatment repressed CRC growth in vivo. Conclusion: Matrine could suppress proliferation, migration, and invasion and induce apoptosis of CRC cells via the miR-10b/PTEN pathway, providing the potential molecular mechanism of matrine in blocking CRC progression.

Overcoming vascular immunosuppression: lack of endothelial cell (EC) responsiveness to inflammatory stimuli in the proangiogenic environment of tumors, is essential for successful cancer immunotherapy. The mechanisms through which Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) modulates tumor EC response to exclude T cells are not well understood. The goal was to determine the role of EC Rap1B, a small GTPase that positively regulates VEGF- angiogenesis during development, in tumor growth in vivo. Using mouse models of Rap1B deficiency, Rap1B+/- and EC-specific Rap1B KO (Rap1BiΔEC) we demonstrate that EC Rap1B restricts tumor growth and angiogenesis. More importantly, EC-specific Rap1B deletion leads to an altered tumor microenvironment with increased recruitment of leukocytes and increased activity of tumor CD8+ T cells. We find that tumor growth, albeit not angiogenesis, is restored in Rap1BiΔEC mice by depleting CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, global transcriptome analysis indicated upregulation of the tumor cytokine, TNF-α, -induced signaling and NFκB transcriptional activity in Rap1B-deficient ECs. Functionally, EC Rap1B deletion led to upregulation of NFκB activity and enhanced Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) expression in TNF-α stimulated ECs. Importantly, CAM expression was upregulated also in tumor ECs from Rap1BiΔEC mice, vs. controls. Significantly, deletion of Rap1B abrogated VEGF immunosuppressive downregulation of CAM expression, demonstrating that Rap1B is essential for VEGF-suppressive signaling. Thus, our studies identify a novel endothelial-endogenous mechanism underlying VEGF-dependent desensitization of EC to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Significantly, they identify EC Rap1 as a potential novel vascular target in cancer immunotherapy.

Grass carp has the highest production yield among all the farmed fish species around the world. But the molecular and genetic basis of growth traits is inadequately understood in this fish. In the present study, we apply whole-transcriptome sequencing to identify genes whose expression is different between fast and slow growing grass carp. We identified 1178 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 270 were upregulated in the fast growing group and 908 upregulated in the slow growing group. The GO enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs was significantly enriched in protein synthesis and export machinery, cell division and development and metabolism, suggesting that cell division and metabolism may play key roles in development processes of fish. KEGG pathway analysis showed that MAPK signaling pathway may play a prominent role in growth difference. In addition, the majority of genes in immune responses related pathway were upregulated in the slow growing individuals. These results provide some valuable resources for understanding the molecular mechanisms of growth traits in fish.

Introduction Lysyl oxidase-like 4 is an amine oxidase from the lysyl oxidase family that was previously shown to be overexpressed in head and neck cancer and upregulated in response to hypoxia. The possible role of lysyl oxidase-like 4 as a tumor marker in advanced stage larynx cancer was investigated. Objective To investigate the expression of lysyl Oxidase-Like 4 protein in advanced stage laryngeal cancer and elucidate its possible role as a tumor marker, predictor of treatment response and prognosticator. Methods Diagnostic specimens of 72 patients treated for stage III–IV laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were evaluated for lysyl oxidase-like 4 expression by immunohistochemistry. Results Lysyl oxidase-like 4 expression was correlated with advanced tumor stage (p = 0.041) and better differentiation (p = 0.025) but was independent of tumor diameter (p = 0.456). Response to induction chemotherapy or the need for salvage laryngectomy were not affected by lysyl oxidase-like 4 expression (p = 0.999, p = 0.070 respectively). Increased lysyl oxidase-like 4 expression was associated with better 2 year overall survival in both univariate (p = 0.036) and multivariate analyses (p = 0.014). Conclusion Lysyl oxidase-like 4 expression emerges with advancing stages, is lost with worsening differentiation, and may have tumor suppressive properties in larynx cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is a major challenge affecting women's survival. Circular RNAs have been demonstrated to be vital regulators in the pathogenesis of human cancers. The authors' objective was to determine the functional role and mechanism of circKLHL24 in breast cancer development. Materials and Methods: The expression of circKLHL24, miR-1204, and aristaless-like 4 (ALX4) mRNA was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects on cell viability, proliferation, migration/invasion, and glycolysis were identified using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, Transwell assay, and glycolysis stress test, respectively. For glycolysis progression analysis, glucose consumption and lactate production were assessed using corresponding kits, and the expression of glycolysis-related proteins was detected by western blot. The putative interactions between miR-1204 and circKLHL24 or ALX4 were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA pull-down assay. The expression of ALX4 at the protein level was detected by western blot. Animal study was performed to clarify the role of circKLHL24 in vivo. Results: circKLHL24 and ALX4 were downregulated, while miR-1204 was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cells. circKLHL24 overexpression blocked cell viability, colony formation, migration/invasion, and glycolysis progression. circKLHL24 competitively targeted miR-1204, and miR-1204 reintroduction reversed the effects of circKLHL24 restoration. miR-1204 bound to ALX4, and circKLHL24 sponged miR-1204 to upregulate ALX4. Cell viability, colony formation, migration/invasion, and glycolysis progression suppressed by miR-1204 deficiency were recovered by ALX4 knockdown. Besides, circKLHL24 blocked tumor growth in vivo by regulating miR-1204 and ALX4. Conclusions: circKLHL24 blocked the progression of breast cancer by activating ALX4 through targeting miR-1204, which might be a novel perspective to understand the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have important roles in human malignancies, including breast cancer (BC). In this study, we intended to explore the function of circRNA ribonuclease P RNA component H1 (circ_RPPH1) in BC development and clarify the mechanistic pathway. Methods: Expression of circ_RPPH1, microRNA-542-3p (miR-542-3p), and Rho GTPase-activating protein 1 (ARHGAP1) in BC tissues and cells was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or Western blot assay. The stability of circ_RPPH1 was confirmed by RNase R and actinomycin D treatment. Cell viability and colony formation ability were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and colony formation assay, respectively. Western blot analysis was also used to detect proliferation biomarker (Ki67) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin). Flow cytometry and Transwell assays were performed to monitor cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The binding potency between miR-542-3p and circ_RPPH1 or ARHGAP1 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Functional role of circ_RPPH1 in vivo was investigated by xenograft tumor reporter assay. Results: Upregulation of circ_RPPH1 and ARHGAP1, and downregulation of miR-542-3p were detected in BC tissues and cells. circ_RPPH1 knockdown or miR-542-3p introduction inhibited BC cell proliferation and metastasis, while promoted apoptosis in vitro. circ_RPPH1 sponged miR-542-3p to upregulate ARHGAP1 expression, thereby affecting BC progression. Moreover, depletion of circ_RPPH1 suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions: circ_RPPH1 contributed to BC tumorigenesis by sponging miR-542-3p and upregulating ARHGAP1, affording a novel mechanistic pathway in BC development.

Background: Upregulation of mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin ligase 1 (Mul1) contributes to brain injury in ischemic stroke due to disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics, and bioinformatics analysis predicts that Mul1 is a potential target of Dipsacoside B. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore whether Dipsacoside B can exert a beneficial effect on brain injury in the ischemic stroke rat via targeting Mul1. Methods: The SD rat brains or PC12 cells were subjected to 2 h-ischemia or 8 h-hypoxia plus 24 h-reperfusion or 24 h-reoxygenation to establish the ischemic stroke rat model in vivo or in vitro, which were treated with Dipsacoside B at different dosages. The brain or PC12 cell injury, relevant protein levels and mitochondrial functions were measured by methods of biochemistry, flow cytometry or Western blot. Results: The neurological dysfunction and brain injury (such as infarction and apoptosis) observed in the ischemic stroke rats were accompanied by increases in Mul1 and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) levels along with decreases in mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) level and ATP production. These effects were attenuated by Dipsacoside B. Consistently, cell injury (necroptosis and apoptosis) occurred in the PC12 cells exposed to hypoxia concomitant with the upregulation of Mul1 and Drp1 along with downregulation of Mfn2 and mitochondrial functions (such as increases in reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial fission and decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production).These phenomena were reversed in the presence of Dipsacoside B. Conclusion: Dipsacoside B can protect the rat brain against ischemic injury via inhibition of Mul1 due to the improvement of mitochondrial function.

Treatment with RNAi against HIV-1 transcripts efficiently inhibits viral replication but induces selection of escape mutants; therefore, the CCR5 coreceptor was suggested as an additional target. Blocking viral and host transcripts improved the antiviral effect. We have used short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the human CCR5 (shCCR5) or the HIV-1 rev (shRev) transcripts to demonstrate distinctive properties of anti-CCR5 shRNA: shCCR5 induced more sustained protection than shRev; partial reduction in CCR5 expression substantially decreased HIV-1 infection, and shCCR5 performed better than shRev in the mixed shRNA-treated and untreated cultures. These observations indicate that CCR5 inhibitors should be conveniently included in HIV-1 gene silencing treatment schedules when only a certain cell fraction is protected to further reduce endogenous virus in a properly ART-treated HIV-1 infected individual.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness and availability of conservative therapies for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) are limited. Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) combined with Bio-Oss, which is a good bone scaffold biomaterial for cell proliferation and differentiation, is a new potential therapy. Of note, the expression of miRNAs was significantly modified in cells cultured with Bio-Oss, and MiR-214 was correlated positively with osteonecrosis. Furthermore, miR-214 was upregulated in cells exposed to Bio-Oss. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether targeting miR-214 further improves the transplantation effect. METHODS: We treated BMSCs with agomiR-214 (a miR-214 agonist), antagomiR-214 (a miR-214 inhibitor), or vehicle, followed by their transplantation into ONFH model rats. RESULTS: Histological and histomorphometric data showed that bone formation was significantly increased in the experimental groups (Bio-Oss and BMSCs treated with antagomiR-214) compared with other groups. CONCLUSIONS: miR-214 participates in the inhibition of osteoblastic bone formation, and the inhibition of miR-214 to bone formation during transplantation therapy with Bio-Oss combined with BMSCs for ONFH.

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (pCS) are two important gut microbiota-generated protein-bound uremic toxins. The present study aims to explore the alterations of serum IS and pCS concentrations, their production, and daily removal in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).A case-controlled study was conducted based on 11 patients with ESRD and 11 healthy volunteers. The metabolic processes for IS and pCS were compared in these two groups, including gut microbiome, fecal indole and p-cresol, indole-producing bacteria and p-cresol-producing bacteria, serum total IS and pCS concentrations, and their daily removal by urine and spent dialyzate.Compared with healthy controls, patients with ESRD exhibited higher relative abundance of the indole-producing bacteria Escherichia coli (P .001) and Bacteroides fragilis (P = .010) and p-cresol-producing bacteria Bacteroides fragilis (P = .010) and Bacteroides caccae (P = .047). The predicted functional profiles of gut microbiome based on 16S rRNA gene PhyloChip analysis showed that the microbial tryptophan metabolism pathway (map00380, P = .0006) was significantly enriched in patients with ESRD. However, the fecal precursors indole (P = .332) and p-cresol concentrations (P = .699) were comparable between the two groups. The serum IS (P .001) and pCS (P .001) concentrations were far higher in patients with ESRD than those in healthy controls, whereas the daily total removal by urine and dialyzate was much lower for the former than that for the latter (P = .019 for IS, P = .016 for pCS).The present study showed serious IS and pCS accumulation in patients with ESRD, with significant expansion of indole-producing bacteria and p-cresol-producing bacteria, upregulation of the bacterial tryptophan metabolism pathway, and greatly increased serum IS and pCS concentrations, whereas significant decline of daily IS and pCS removal.

Embryonic tissues undergoing shape change draw mechanical input from extraembryonic substrates. In avian eggs, the early blastoderm disk is under the tension of the vitelline membrane (VM). Here we report that the chicken VM characteristically downregulates tension and stiffness to facilitate stage-specific embryo morphogenesis. Experimental relaxation of the VM early in development impairs blastoderm expansion, while maintaining VM tension in later stages resists the convergence of the posterior body causing stalled elongation, failure of neural tube closure, and axis rupture. Biochemical and structural analysis shows that VM weakening is associated with the reduction of outer-layer glycoprotein fibers, which is caused by an increasing albumen pH due to CO2 release from the egg. Our results identify a previously unrecognized potential cause of body axis defects through mis-regulation of extraembryonic tissue tension.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently emerged as crucial regulatory molecules in prostate cancer (PCa), but few researches focus on the effects of circRNAs on PCa radiosensitivity. The issue will be addressed in this study using circRNA Cyclin B2 (circ_CCNB2) as an object. Materials and Methods: All RNA and protein levels were severally examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Colony formation assay and flow cytometry were implemented for detecting cell colony capacity and apoptotic cells, respectively. Cellular migration and invasion abilities were evaluated by transwell assay. The combination between potential target molecules was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The effect of circ_CCNB2 on PCa radiosensitivity in vivo was explored using xenograft models in mice. Results: Circ_CCNB2 was upregulated in irradiation-resistant PCa tissues and cells. Circ_CCNB2 knockdown had promoted effect on the radiosensitivity of irradiation-resistant PCa cells by inhibiting autophagy. Besides, circ_CCNB2 could directly sponge miR-30b-5p, and the promotion of circ_CCNB2 knockdown on PCa radiosensitivity was achieved by elevating miR-30b-5p. MiR-30b-5p enhanced the radiosensitivity of irradiation-resistant PCa cells through repressing the expression of its target kinesin family member 18A (KIF18A). Furthermore, circ_CCNB2 regulated the KIF18A level through targeting miR-30b-5p. Circ_CCNB2 downregulation facilitated PCa radiosensitivity in vivo through inhibiting autophagy by miR-30b-5p/KIF18A. Conclusions: In this study, knockdown of circ_CCNB2 was shown to promote PCa radiosensitivity through autophagy repression by miR-30b-5p/KIF18A axis, developing a molecular resistance mechanism of PCa radiotherapy and a feasible strategy to increase radiosensitivity.

Background The abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Opa-interacting protein 5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) has been observed in many human cancers and the underlying mechanisms have been well studied. However, the function of OIP5-AS1 in acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unclear. Material and methods To explore the role of OIP5-AS1 in the progression of AKI, the cisplatin-induced AKI mouse and cell model were established. To confirm the potential protective effect of OIP5-AS1 during cisplatin-induced AKI, rescue experiments were performed. Targetscan was used to predict the potential targets of miR-144-5p. To further determine whether the effect of miR-144-5p during cisplatin-induced AKI was mediated by PMK2, the recuse experiments using PMK2 overexpressing vector was applied. Results OIP5-AS1 was significantly downregulated both in cisplatin-induced AKI mice and human renal tubular cell line HK-2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of OIP5-AS1 efficiently promoted cell growth and reduced cisplatin-induced apoptosis of HK-2 cells. Furthermore, OIP5-AS1 was identified as a sponge of miR-144-5p, and upregulation of miR-144-5p could significantly reverse overexpression of OIP5-AS1-induced protective effect on the damage of cisplatin to HK-2 cells. In addition, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) was found to be a direct target of miR-144-5p, and overexpression of PKM2 efficiently reversed the effect of miR-144-5p mimics on the damage in cisplatin-stimulated HK-2 cells. Conclusions OIP5-AS1 reduced the apoptosis of cisplatin-stimulated renal epithelial cells by targeting the miR-144-5p/PKM2 axis, which extended the regulatory network of lncRNAs in cisplatin-induced AKI and also provided a novel therapeutic target for AKI treatment.

Polyalkenoate cement (PAC) is a promising material for regenerative hard tissue therapy. The ionically rich glass component of PAC encourages bioactive interaction via. the release of essential ions. However, PAC bioactivity is restricted owing to (i) structurally inherent cationic network formers and (ii) surface bacterial biofilm formation. These two factors cause a deficiency in ion release, further complicated by secondary infections and premature therapeutic failure. Here, a multivalent zwitterionic network modifier (mZM) is presented for upregulation of ionic exchange and bioactivity enhancement. By introducing a non-zero charged mZM into PACs, an increase in the proportion of non-bridging oxygen occurs. The network modification promotes ion channel formation, causing a multiple-fold increase in ion release and surface deposition of hydroxy-carbonate apatite (ca. 74%). Experiments ex vivo and animal models also demonstrate the efficient remineralization ability of the mZM. Furthermore, divalent cationic interaction results in bacterial biofilm reduction (ca. 68%) while also influencing a shift in the biofilm species composition, which favors commensal growth. Therefore, PAC modification with mZM offers a promising solution for upregulation of bioactivity, even aiding in customization by targeting site-specific regenerative therapy in future applications.

Contains fulltext : 283431.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Aberrations in nuclear size and shape are commonly used to identify cancerous tissue. However, it remains unclear whether the disturbed nuclear structure directly contributes to the cancer pathology or is merely a consequence of other events occurring during tumorigenesis. Here, we show that highly invasive and proliferative breast cancer cells frequently exhibit Akt-driven lower expression of the nuclear envelope proteins lamin A/C, leading to increased nuclear deformability that permits enhanced cell migration through confined environments that mimic interstitial spaces encountered during metastasis. Importantly, increasing lamin A/C expression in highly invasive breast cancer cells reflected gene expression changes characteristic of human breast tumors with higher LMNA expression, and specifically affected pathways related to cell-ECM interactions, cell metabolism, and PI3K/Akt signaling. Further supporting an important role of lamins in breast cancer metastasis, analysis of lamin levels in human breast tumors revealed a significant association between lower lamin A levels, Akt signaling, and decreased disease-free survival. These findings suggest that downregulation of lamin A/C in breast cancer cells may influence both cellular physical properties and biochemical signaling to promote metastatic progression.

Background Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is capable of regulating lipid and glucose metabolism through its action on adipocytes. However, the beneficial role of GRb1-induced up-regulation of adiponectin in liver steatosis remains unelucidated. Thus, we tested whether GRb1 ameliorates liver steatosis and insulin resistance by promoting the expression of adiponectin. Methods 3T3-L1 adipocytes and hepatocytes were used to investigate GRb1's action on adiponectin expression and triglyceride (TG) accumulation. Wild type (WT) mice and adiponectin knockout (KO) mice fed high fat diet were treated with GRb1 for 2 weeks. Hepatic fat accumulation and function as well as insulin sensitivity was measured. The activation of AMPK was also detected in the liver and hepatocytes. Results GRb1 reversed the reduction of adiponectin secretion in adipocytes. The conditioned medium (CM) from adipocytes treated with GRb1 reduced TG accumulation in hepatocytes, which was partly attenuated by the adiponectin antibody. In the KO mice, the GRb1-induced significant decrease of TG content, ALT and AST was blocked by the deletion of adiponectin. The elevations of GRb1-induced insulin sensitivity indicated by OGTT, ITT and HOMA-IR were also weakened in the KO mice. The CM treatment significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK in hepatocytes, but not GRb1 treatment. Likewise, the phosphorylation of AMPK in liver of the WT mice was increased by GRb1, but not in the KO mice. Conclusions The up-regulation of adiponectin by GRb1 contributes to the amelioration of liver steatosis and insulin resistance, which further elucidates a new mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of GRb1 on obesity.

Background Angiogenesis constitutes a major mechanism responsible for exercise-induced beneficial effects. Our previous study identified a cluster of differentially expressed extracellular vesicle microRNAs (miRNAs) after exercise and found that some of them act as exerkines. However, whether these extracellular vesicle miRNAs mediate the exercise-induced angiogenesis remains unknown. Methods A 9-day treadmill training was used as an exercise model in C57BL/6 mice. Liver-specific adeno-associated virus 8 was used to knock down microRNA-122-5p (miR-122-5p). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used in vitro. Results Among these differentially expressed extracellular vesicle miRNAs, miR-122-5p was identified as a potent pro-angiogenic factor that activated vascular endothelial growth factor signaling and promoted angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. Exercise increased circulating levels of miR-122-5p, which was produced mainly by the liver and shuttled by extracellular vesicles in mice. Inhibition of circulating miR-122-5p or liver-specific knockdown of miR-122-5p significantly abolished the exercise-induced pro-angiogenic effect in skeletal muscles, and exercise-improved muscle performance in mice. Mechanistically, miR-122-5p promoted angiogenesis through shifting substrate preference to fatty acids in endothelial cells, and miR-122-5p upregulated endothelial cell fatty-acid use by targeting 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT1). In addition, miR-122-5p increased capillary density in perilesional skin tissues and accelerated wound healing in mice. Conclusion These findings demonstrated that exercise promotes angiogenesis through upregulation of liver-derived extracellular vesicle miR-122-5p, which enhances fatty acid use by targeting AGPAT1 in endothelial cells, highlighting the therapeutic potential of miR-122-5p in tissue repair.

Acute liver failure (ALF) has an abrupt onset with a frequently fatal outcome. Previous studies have found that oral antibiotics prevent drug-induced liver injury in animal experiments, indicating that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in the pathophysiological process. However, the underlying mechanism has not been fully understood. This study explored the comprehensive role of the gut microbiota in ALF using multi-omics. A cocktail of broad-spectrum antibiotics (Abx) pretreatment by gavage for four weeks improved the survival of D-(+)-galactosamine hydrochloride (D-Gal)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALF in C57BL/6 mice. RNA sequencing showed that inflammatory responses were inhibited and metabolic pathways were upregulated in the liver of Abx-treated ALF mice. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that Abx reshaped the composition and function of the gut microbiota, with an increased proportion of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism. In addition, global metabolic profiling by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) indicated that the gut microbiota post-Abx intervention reduced Trp excretion, liberated more Trp to the host, and enhanced the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway with increased production of Kyn. As an endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, Kyn has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Furthermore, AhR-targeted treatments affected the outcome of ALF mice with or without Abx pretreatment, indicating that AhR directly regulated susceptibility to ALF, at least in part. This study demonstrates that the gut microbiota-dependent control of the Trp metabolism could regulate host susceptibility to ALF by modulating the activity of AhR, and thus provides a promising target for better management of ALF.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation is important in cancer progression and metastasis. Evidence indicates that nc886 is a representative Pol III gene that processes microRNA products via Dicer and further downregulates its target gene transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1), which is the most prominent inducer of EMT in prostate cancer (PC). Consistent with the previous literature, we found that nc886 downregulation was strongly associated with metastatic behavior and showed worse outcomes in PC patients. However, little is known about the association between nc886 and the EMT signaling pathway. We developed a PC cell model with stable overexpression of nc886 and found that nc886 changed cellular morphology and drove MET. The underlying mechanism may be related to its promotion of SNAIL protein degradation via ubiquitination, but not to its neighboring genes, TGFβ–induced protein (TGFBI) and SMAD5, which are Pol II-transcribed. TGF-β1 also override nc886 promotion of MET via transient suppression the transcription of nc886, promotion of TGFBI or increase in SMAD5 phosphorylation. Both nc886 inhibition and TGFBI activation occur regardless of their methylation status. The literature suggests that MYC inhibition by TGF-β1 is attributed to nc886 downregulation. We incidentally identified MYC-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) as a suppressive transcription factor of TGFBI, which is controlled by TGF-β1. We elucidate a new mechanism of TGF-β1 differential control of Pol II and the transcription of its neighboring Pol III gene and identify a new EMT unit consisting of nc886 and its neighboring genes.

The underlying mechanisms of E2F5 upregulation and its pro-tumor functions have not been elucidated in gastric cancer (GC). Here, the expression, prognostic value, mutation status, and promoter methylation of E2F5 were evaluated. The effects of E2F5 depletion on cell proliferation and invasion in GC, were also assessed through in vitro experiments. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to analyze the potential downstream regulator of E2F5. The study also assessed the correlation and transcription regulation between E2F5 and UBE2T. Finally, the roles of UBE2T in E2F5-related pro-tumor functions were examined. The findings revealed that E2F5 was upregulated and showed remarkable association with pathological variables and prognosis. Hypomethylation of the E2F5 promoter predicted poor prognosis and partially caused E2F5 upregulation in GC. E2F5 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of GC cells. E2F5 had a significant positive correlation with UBE2T in GC. Mechanistically, E2F5 promoted UBE2T transcription and UBE2T overexpression reversed the effects of E2F5 depletion on the proliferation and invasion of cells in GC. Taken together, this study originally confirmed the upregulation of E2F5 in GC, revealed that E2F5 can directly upregulate UBE2T transcription, and subsequently promote the malignant progression, which highlights that the E2F5/UBE2T axis can potentially be used in the diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common but lethal brain cancer with poor prognosis. The developing brain homeobox 2 (DBX2) has been reported to play important roles in tumor growth. However, the mechanisms of DBX2 in GBM are still unknown. Objective: This study aims to investigate the function and mechanisms of DBX2 in GBM. Methods: The expressions of DBX2 and REST in GBM were measured by analyzing data from databases, and the results were checked by qPCR and/or western blot of GBM cell lines. Cell proliferation was determined by CCK8 assay, immunohistochemistry and colony formation assay. ChIP-qPCR was used to determine the binding sites of DBX2 on REST. Results: In this study, we found that the expression of DBX2 was upregulated in the GBM cell lines. The cell proliferation was damaged after blocking DBX2 expression in U87 and U251 GBM cell lines. The expression level of DBX2 had a positive relationship with that of REST. Our ChIP-qPCR results showed that DBX2 is directly bound to the promoter region of REST. Additionally, the increased GBM cell proliferation caused by DBX2 overexpression can be rescued by REST loss of function. Conclusion: DBX2 could promote cell proliferation of GBM by binding to the promoter region of REST gene and increasing REST expression.

Low temperature in early spring impairs wheat growth and grain yield. However, little is known about the cytological and molecular mechanisms underlying low temperature regulation of wheat spike development. Microstructure observation and transcriptome sequencing of wheat spikes under low temperature were conducted. Low temperature slowed spike development, reduced the yield-component parameters of wheat spikes at the harvest stage, delayed the formation of lateral spikelets and tissue development, and induced the early differentiation of terminal spikelets. Low temperature increased the content of abscisic acid and caused the upregulation of genes in the abscisic acid signaling pathway, including those encoding PP2Cs, SnRK2s, and bZIP transcription factors. Low temperature also induced the upregulation of 33 cold-responsive genes involved in wheat response to low-temperature stress and regulation of abscisic acid biosynthesis and metabolism of other substances. The wheat spike adapted to cold conditions by changing the expression levels of genes involved in spike morphogenesis, including the transcription-factor genes MADS6, ERF4, ERF78, WOX6, and NAC48. These findings suggest that low temperature in early spring delays wheat spike development by increasing abscisic acid content or affecting the expression of genes involved in morphogenesis.

As a novel group of non-coding RNAs, long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) can substantially regulate various biological processes. Downregulated tumor-suppressive lncRNAs and upregulated oncogenic lncRNAs (onco-lncRNAs) have been implicated in gastric cancer (GC) development. These dysregulations have been associated with decreased chemosensitivity, inhibited apoptosis, and increased tumor migration in GC. Besides, growing evidence indicates that lncRNAs can be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, and their expression levels are substantially associated with the clinicopathological features of affected patients. The current study aims to review the recent findings of the tumor-suppressive lncRNAs and onco-lncRNAs in GC development and highlight their therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic values in treating GC cells. Besides, it intends to highlight the future direction of lncRNAs in treating GC.

Endometriosis is a benign tumor that affect 6-10% women of reproductive age. To date, it is suggested that the aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expressions play important roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Reviewing the literature, we found nine overexpressed miRNAs, which were thoroughly investigated in the context of endometriotic tissues and cells. Most of the overexpressed miRNAs induced endometriosis-specific characteristics including inhibition of apoptosis and decidualization, upregulation of fibrogenesis, invasion, migration, cell proliferation, attachment to extracellular matrix, inflammation, and angiogenesis in the endometriotic cells. Then, we found that the downstream target molecules of these miRNAs, such as early growth response protein-1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, matrix metallopeptidase 1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, cyclooxygenase-2, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A are promising for the therapeutic targets of endometriosis. Recent findings suggest that complex molecular mechanisms leading to development and progression of endometriosis by miRNAs may exist in endometriosis. The meticulous balance between tumorigenic miRNAs and tumoristatic miRNAs may destine the natural course and response to the surgical, medical, and hormonal treatments of this disease. Further investigations into endometriosis-associated miRNAs may elucidate the pathogenesis of endometriosis and help to develop novel therapeutics.

Slow-cycling/dormant cancer cells (SCCs) have pivotal roles in driving cancer relapse and drug resistance. A mechanistic explanation for cancer cell dormancy and therapeutic strategies targeting SCCs are necessary to improve patient prognosis, but are limited because of technical challenges to obtaining SCCs. Here, by applying proliferation-sensitive dyes and chemotherapeutics to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and patient-derived xenografts, we identified a distinct SCC subpopulation that resembled SCCs in patient tumors. These SCCs displayed major dormancy-like phenotypes and high survival capacity under hostile microenvironments through transcriptional upregulation of regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2). Database analysis revealed RGS2 as a biomarker of retarded proliferation and poor prognosis in NSCLC. We showed that RGS2 caused prolonged translational arrest in SCCs through persistent eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) phosphorylation via proteasome-mediated degradation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Translational activation through RGS2 antagonism or the use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, including sildenafil (Viagra), promoted ER stress-induced apoptosis in SCCs in vitro and in vivo under stressed conditions, such as those induced by chemotherapy. Our results suggest that a low-dose chemotherapy and translation-instigating pharmacological intervention in combination is an effective strategy to prevent tumor progression in NSCLC patients after rigorous chemotherapy.

Background: Nucleolar and spindle associated protein 1 (NUSAP1) is an indispensable mitotic regulator, which has been reported to be involved in the development, progression, and metastasis of several types of cancer. Here, we investigated the expression and biological function of NUSAP1 in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methods: The expression of NUSAP1 on GBM tissues and cells were determined by database analysis, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. EdU assay, transwell assay and flow cytometric analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of NUSAP1 knockdown on GBM cell proliferation, cell invasion and cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing was used to screen for downstream molecules altered in GBM cells after NUSAP1 depletion. An intracranial mice model and bioluminescent imaging were used to assess the effect of NUSAP1 on tumor growth and survival time in vivo. Results: Analysis of the molecular data in CGGA, TCGA and Rembrandt datasets demonstrated that NUSAP1 was significantly up-regulated in GBM relative to low grade gliomas and non-neoplastic brain tissue samples. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with tumors showing high NUSAP1 expression exhibited significantly poorer survival in both CGGA (P = 0.002) and Rembrandt cohorts (P = 0.017). Analysis of RNA sequencing data from P3-cells with stable knockdown of NUSAP1 revealed topoisomerase 2A (TOP2A) as a possible molecule down-regulated by the loss of NUSAP1. SiRNA knockdown of either NUSAP1 or TOP2A in U251, T98 and GBM derived patient P3 cells inhibited GBM cell proliferation and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis. Finally, stable knockdown of NUSAP1 with shRNA led to decreased tumor growth in an orthotopic xenograft model of GBM in mice. Conclusions: Taken together, NUSAP1 gene silencing induced apoptosis possibly through the down-regulation of the candidate downstream molecule TOP2A. Interference with the expression of NUSAP1 might therefore inhibit malignant progression in GBM, and NUSAP1 might thus serve as a promising molecular target for GBM treatment.

Background Isolation of neurons from the adult mouse CNS is important in order to study their gene expression during development or the course of different diseases. New methods Here we present two different methods for the enrichment or isolation of neurons from adult mouse CNS. These methods: are either based on flow cytometry sorting of eYFP expressing neurons, or by depletion of non-neuronal cells by sorting with magnetic-beads. Results Enrichment by FACS sorting of eYFP positive neurons results in a population of 62.4% NeuN positive living neurons. qPCR data shows a 3–5fold upregulation of neuronal markers. The isolation of neurons based on depletion of non-neuronal cells using the Miltenyi Neuron Isolation Kit, reaches a purity of up to 86.5%. qPCR data of these isolated neurons shows an increase in neuronal markers and an absence of glial markers, proving pure neuronal RNA isolation. Comparison with existing methods Former data related to neuronal gene expression are mainly based on histology, which does not allow for high-throughput transcriptome analysis to examine differential gene expression. Conclusion These protocols can be used to study cell type specific gene expression of neurons to unravel their function in the process of damage to the CNS.

Background To uncover the protective role of Vildagliptin in hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) and the pharmacological mechanisms. Methods H/R model was constructed in primary CMECs extracted from rats, followed by Vildagliptin treatment. Relative levels of DPP-4 and Nox-4 in CMECs were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Viability, glutathione (GSH) content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and inflammatory factor levels were examined. Western blot was conducted to detect protein levels of DPP-4, p38, p-p38 and nuclear translocation of p65. The transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was measured by luciferase assay. Results H/R resulted in upregulation of DPP-4 and Nox-4, as well as increased LDH release in CMECs. In addition, GSH content and viability were declined, and the release of inflammatory factors were stimulated in H/R-induced CMECs. The abovementioned changes were relieved by Vildagliptin treatment. Vildagliptin markedly inhibited the activation of the p38/NF-κB signaling in H/R-induced CMECs. Conclusions Vildagliptin protects CMECs from H/R injury via inactivating the p38/NF-κB signaling.

Human aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) catalyze the NADPH-dependent reduction of carbonyl groups to alcohols for conjugation reactions to proceed. They are implicated in resistance to cancer chemotherapeutic agents either because they are directly involved in their metabolism or help eradicate the cellular stress created by these agents (e.g., reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides). Furthermore, this cellular stress activates the Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 pathway. As many human AKR genes are upregulated by the NRF2 transcription factor, this leads to a feed-forward mechanism to enhance drug resistance. Resistance to major classes of chemotherapeutic agents (anthracyclines, mitomycin, cis-platin, antitubulin agents, vinca alkaloids, and cyclophosphamide) occurs by this mechanism. Human AKRs also catalyze the synthesis of androgens and estrogens and the elimination of progestogens and are involved in hormonal-dependent malignancies. They are upregulated by antihormonal therapy providing a second mechanism for cancer drug resistance. Inhibitors of the NRF2 system or pan-AKR1C inhibitors offer promise to surmount cancer drug resistance and/or synergize the effects of existing drugs. Significance Statement Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) are overexpressed in a large number of human tumors and mediate resistance to cancer chemotherapeutics and antihormonal therapies. Existing drugs and new agents in development may surmount this resistance by acting as specific AKR isoforms or AKR pan-inhibitors to improve clinical outcome.

Background Recently, microRNA-99b (miR-99b) shows diverse functions in different human disease. However, further studies about the potential effect of miR-99b in cerebral ischemia injury still need to be done. Methods The expressions of miR-99b and IGF1R were detected via RT-qPCR assay. Western blot assay was applied to measure the protein expression of Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2. MTT assay was used to observe cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells. The association of miR-99b and IGF1R was testified by dual luciferase assay. And human SH-SY5Y cells were treated with the oxygen-glucose deprivation / reperfusion (OGD/R) to mimic CIR injury. Results The expression of miR-99b was increased in the OGD/R model. And upregulation of miR-99b promoted cell viability and inhibited apoptosis induced by OGD/R. Moreover, IGF1R was confirmed as a direct target gene of miR-99b. The expression of IGF1R was obviously decreased under OGD/R conditions. Conclusions MiR-99b promoted the viability and suppressed apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells under OGD/R conditions through targeting IGF1R.

Background Circulation miRNAs have emerged as new biomarkers for identifying and monitoring the microvascular complications of diabetes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of five candidate miRNAs (miR-29c-3p, miR-18a, miR-31, miR-181 and miR-20a) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and their relationship with disease severity. Methods The study included 31 diabetes patients without DR (NDR group), 68 patients with DR (DR group) and 30 healthy controls (HC group). Twenty-five of patients with DR were proliferative DR (PDR group) and 43 were non-proliferative DR (NPDR group) patients. Metabolic parameters and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels of all participants were measured. Circulating miRNAs levels were determined by quantitative realtime PCR. Fundus examinations of all patients were performed by a single ophthalmologist. Results VEGF levels were significantly higher in the NDR and DR groups compared to HC group (p=0.011 and p=0.014, respectively). Plasma miR-29c-3p was downregulated in diabetic patients with retinopathy and without retinopathy. This downregulation was more prominent in diabetic patients without retinopathy compared to those with retinopathy (p=0.016). There was no significant difference in plasma levels of miR-18a, miR-20a, miR-18a and miR-31 between diabetic subjects with and without retinopathy (p>0.05). There was no correlation between DR severity and the levels of miRNAs (p>0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that changes in plasma miR-29c-3p expression of diabetic patients increased DR risk independent of other risk factors. Conclusions Plasma miR-29c-3p expression is downregulated in diabetic patients with and without retinopathy, and changes in this miRNA are an independent risk factor for the development of DR.

Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn (E. coracana) is one of the highest consuming food crops in Asia and Africa. E. coracana is a plant with several medicinal values including anti-ulcerative, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. However, the anti-inflammatory property of E. coracana remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the objective of present study was to investigate the potential in isolated molecule from E. coracana via a combination of in vitro, in vivo and in silico methods. In this study we have isolated, purified and characterized an anti-inflammatory molecule from E coracana bran extract known as syringol. Purification of syringol was accomplished by combination of GC-MS and RP-HPLC techniques. Syringol significantly inhibited the enzyme activity of sPLA2 (IC50 = 3 µg) and 5-LOX (IC50 = 0.325 µg) in vitro. The inhibition is independent of substrate concentration, calcium ion concentration and was irreversible. Syringol interacts with purified sPLA2 enzymes as evidenced by fluorescence and molecular docking studies. Further, the syringol molecule dose dependently inhibited the development of sPLA2 and carrageenan induced edema. Furthermore, syringol decreases the expression of cPLA2, COX-2, IκBα, p38 and MPO in edematous tissues as demonstrated by western blots. These studies revealed that syringol isolated from E coracana bran may develop as a potent anti-inflammatory molecule.

Context A sex discordance in COVID exists, with males disproportionately affected. Although sex steroids may play a role in this discordance, no definitive genetic data exist to support androgen-mediated immune suppression neither for viral susceptibility nor for adrenally produced androgens. Objective The common adrenal-permissive missense-encoding variant HSD3B1(1245C) that enables androgen synthesis from adrenal precursors and that has been linked to suppression of inflammation in severe asthma was investigated in COVID susceptibility and outcomes reported in the UK Biobank. Methods The UK Biobank is a long-term study with detailed medical information and health outcomes for over 500 000 genotyped individuals. We obtained COVID test results, inpatient hospital records, and death records and tested for associations between COVID susceptibility or outcomes and HSD3B1(1245A/C) genotype. Primary analyses were performed on the UK Biobank Caucasian cohort. The outcomes were identification as a COVID case among all subjects, COVID positivity among COVID-tested subjects, and mortality among subjects identified as COVID cases. Results Adrenal-permissive HSD3B1(1245C) genotype was associated with identification as a COVID case (odds ratio (OR): 1.11 per C allele, 95% CI: 1.04–1.18, P = 0.0013) and COVID-test positivity (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02–1.17, P = 0.011) in older (≥70 years of age) women. In women identified as COVID cases, there was a positive linear relationship between age and 1245C allele frequency (P < 0.0001). No associations were found between genotype and mortality or between genotype and circulating sex hormone levels. Conclusion Our study suggests that a common androgen synthesis variant regulates immune susceptibility to COVID infection in women, with increasingly strong effects as women age.

Self-assembling carrier-free nanodrugs are attractive agents because they accumulate at tumor by an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect without introduction of inactive substances, and some nanodrugs can alter the immune environment. We synthesized a peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) molecular inhibitor, ZD-E-1M. It could self-assembled into nanodrug ZD-E-1. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observed its cellular colocalization, PAD4 activity and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. The populations of immune cells and expression of immune-related proteins were determined by single-cell mass cytometry. ZD-E-1 formed nanoflowers in an acidic environment, whereas it formed nanospheres at pH 7.4. Accumulation of ZD-E-1 at tumor was pH-responsive because of its pH-dependent differences in the size and shape. It could enter the nucleus and bind to PAD4 to prolong the intracellular retention time. In mice, ZD-E-1 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting PAD4 activity and NETs formation. Besides, ZD-E-1 could regulate the ratio of immune cells in LLC tumor-bearing mice. Immunosuppressive proteins like LAG3 were suppressed, while IFN-γ and TNF-α as stimulators of tumor immune response were upregulated. Overall, ZD-E-1 is a self-assembling carrier-free nanodrug that responds to pH, inhibits PAD4 activity, blocks neutrophil extracellular traps formation, and improves the tumor immune microenvironment.

Acute lung injury (ALI) induced by bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is characterized by the upregulation of the apoptosis rate of tissue cells and aggravation of inflammatory response. Although many studies have focused on the pathogenesis of this disease, its mechanism remains unknown. This study examined the regulatory role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC01194 in the progression of ALI through various bioinformatics analyses and experimental work, including ELISA assay, dual-luciferase reporter assay, biotinylated RNA pull-down assay, and Western blot analysis. The result showed that the LINC01194 was overexpressed in the ALI-induced mice model. We observed a significant upregulation of LINC01194 in LPS-treated mouse lung epithelial type II cells (MLE-12 cells) after 24 h of induction. Bioinformatics analysis, ELISA assay, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, biotinylated RNA pull-down assay, apoptosis test, and Western blot analysis demonstrated that the LINC01194 could act as a microRNA (miR) miR-203a-3p sponge to activate the inflammatory response in LPS-induced ALI model through post-transcriptional upregulation of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-2). We showed that LINC01194 regulates the inflammatory response and apoptosis of LPS-induced mice and MLE-12 cells via the miR-203a-3p/MIP-2 axis. LINC01194 could be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and the treatment of ALI.

Objective : The objective of this study was to evaluate CELSR3 expression and explore its potential mechanism in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Study design : CELSR3 mRNA expression was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. CELSR3 protein expression in 135 surgical oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens was observed by immunohistochemical staining. Staining results were used to investigate association between CELSR3 expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. Bioinformatics analyses were used to explore the potential mechanism of CELSR3 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results : CELSR3 mRNA expression was upregulated in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the TCGA-HNSC dataset. Increased CELSR3 protein expression was associated with perineural invasion and poor clinical outcomes in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that CELSR3 is involvement in axonogenesis, neuron migration and cell-cell adhesion, all of which are involved in the process of perineural invasion. Conclusion : CELSR3 may play a pro-oncogenic role in oral squamous cell carcinoma and can predict perineural invasion and poor survival. CELSR3 may be involved in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression by modulating perineural invasion.

Drug-induced hyperglycemia/diabetes is a global issue. Some drugs induce hyperglycemia by activating the pregnane X receptor (PXR), but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we report that PXR activation induces hyperglycemia by impairing hepatic glucose metabolism due to inhibition of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (HNF4α)‒glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) pathway. The PXR agonists atorvastatin and rifampicin significantly downregulated GLUT2 and HNF4α expression, and impaired glucose uptake and utilization in HepG2 cells. Overexpression of PXR downregulated GLUT2 and HNF4α expression, while silencing PXR upregulated HNF4α and GLUT2 expression. Silencing HNF4α decreased GLUT2 expression, while overexpressing HNF4α increased GLUT2 expression and glucose uptake. Silencing PXR or overexpressing HNF4α reversed the atorvastatin-induced decrease in GLUT2 expression and glucose uptake. In human primary hepatocytes, atorvastatin downregulated GLUT2 and HNF4α mRNA expression, which could be attenuated by silencing PXR. Silencing HNF4α downregulated GLUT2 mRNA expression. These findings were reproduced with mouse primary hepatocytes. Hnf4α plasmid increased Slc2a2 promoter activity. Hnf4α silencing or pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN) suppressed the Slc2a2 promoter activity by decreasing HNF4α recruitment to the Slc2a2 promoter. Liver-specific Hnf4α deletion and PCN impaired glucose tolerance and hepatic glucose uptake, and decreased the expression of hepatic HNF4α and GLUT2. In conclusion, PXR activation impaired hepatic glucose metabolism partly by inhibiting the HNF4α‒GLUT2 pathway. These results highlight the molecular mechanisms by which PXR activators induce hyperglycemia/diabetes.

Background: Vincristine (VCR) is a chemotherapeutic drug commonly used in the treatment of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). However, VCR drug resistance may result in reduced efficacy and even failure of chemotherapy in CRC treatment. MiRNA has been demonstrated to be associated with the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy. Objective: This study aimed to identify a novel miRNA-14669 that can reverse vincristine resistance and sensitize drug-resistant colorectal cancer cells. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was performed to screen miRNAs that are associated with VCR drug resistance, and qRT-PCR was used for further validation. The miRNA mimic and inhibitor were designed and transfected into HCT-8,HCT-116 and HCT-8/VCR cells. Wound healing test examined the effect of the miRNA on the migration of colorectal cancer cells. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell apoptosis of HCT-8 cells. Survivin, Bcl-2, GST3, MDR1 and MRP1 expressions were detected by Western blot. Results: The expression of miRNA-14669 in HCT-8/VCR cells was 1.925 times higher than that of the HCT-8 cells. After transfecting with mimic miRNA, HCT-8 and HCT-116 cells showed an increased survival rate. The survival rate of HCT-8/VCR cells decreased by transfection of inhibitor. The inhibitor also sensitized HCT-8 and HCT-116 cells to VCR or 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). The migratory ability of HCT-8 and HCT-116 cells increased by miRNA mimic while reduced by miRNA inhibitor. Overexpression of miRNA-14669 reduced apoptosis, while downregulation of miRNA- 14669 increased cell apoptosis in HCT-8 cells. The mechanism of the miRNA involved in drug resistance may be attributed to apoptosis of tumor cells, detoxification of GST3 and drug efflux induced by MDR1 and MRP1. PI3K / AKT is the signaling pathway related to drug resistance. Conclusion: We identified a novel miRNA-14669 that may be associated with the chemotherapeutic resistance in CRC cells.

Silicon (Si) has been shown to alleviate Cd stress in rice. Here, we investigated the beneficial effects of foliar Si in an indica rice Huanghuazhan (HHZ). Our results showed that foliar Si increases the dry weight and decreases Cd translocation in Cd-exposed rice at the grain-filling stage only, implying that the filling stage is critical for foliar Si to reduce Cd accumulation. We also investigated the transcriptomics in flag leaves (FLs), spikelets (SPs), and node Is (NIs) of Cd-exposed HHZ after foliar Si application at the filling stage. Importantly, the gene expression profiles associated with the Si-mediated alleviation of Cd stress were tissue specific, while shared pathways were mediated by Si in Cd-exposed rice tissues. Furthermore, after the Si treatment of Cd-exposed rice, the ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporters were mostly upregulated in FL and SP, while the bivalent cation transporters were mostly downregulated in FL and NI, possibly helping to reduce Cd accumulation. The genes associated with essential nutrient transporters, carbohydrate and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and cytochrome oxidase activity were mostly upregulated in Cd-exposed FL and SP, which may help to alleviate oxidative stress and improve plant growth under Cd exposure. Interestingly, genes responsible for signal transduction were negatively regulated in FL, but positively regulated in SP, by foliar Si. Our results provide transcriptomic evidence that foliar Si plays an active role in alleviating the effects of Cd exposure in rice. In particular, foliar Si may alter the expression pattern of genes associated with transport, biosynthesis and metabolism, and oxidation reduction.

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumour, and the metastasis of osteosarcoma is an important cause of death. Evidence has shown that the mevalonate pathway is highly activated and is expected to be a new target for tumour therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of mevalonate signalling on osteosarcoma metastasis and its molecular mechanism. First, we found that the key rate-limiting enzyme of mevalonate signalling, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), was highly expressed in osteosarcoma cells, and inhibition of HMGCR with simvastatin significantly inhibited the motility of 143B cells. Next, we found that YAP1 activity was significantly upregulated in osteosarcoma cells and that YAP1 knockdown inhibited the motility of 143B cells. We also found that the mevalonate pathway regulated the motility of 143B cells by modulating YAP1 phosphorylation and its cellular localization. Moreover, we found that the activity of YAP1 was regulated by the mevalonate pathway by modulating the cell membrane localization of RhoA. Finally, we demonstrated that inhibition of the mevalonate pathway notably reduced the lung metastasis of 143B cells, as reflected by the decreased incidence and number of metastatic nodules and the increased survival time of the nude mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that the mevalonate pathway can promote the metastasis of osteosarcoma by activating YAP1 via RhoA. Inhibition of the mevalonate pathway may be a promising therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma metastasis.

Background: Pituitary adenoma (PA) is a kind of common primary brain tumor with invasive properties. Although the fact that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) exerts oncogenic function in cancer cells and that miR-944 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells are well documented, few studies explore the function and mechanism of SNHG6 and miR-944 in invasive pituitary adenoma (IPA). Materials and Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of SNHG6 and miR-944 in PA samples. Human PA cell line HP75 was used as a cell model. The biological effects of SNHG6 and miR-944 on HP75 cells were investigated with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Transwell assay, and scratch healing assay in vitro, respectively. Markers of EMT, including E-cadherin and vimentin, were detected by western blot. Interactions between SNHG6 and miR-944, miR-944 and RAB11A were determined by bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, and dual luciferase reporter assay. Results: SNHG6 was significantly upregulated in IPA samples, whereas miR-944 was downregulated. SNHG6 markedly promoted viability, migration, invasion, and EMT of PA cells, whereas miR-944 transfection had the opposite effects. SNHG6 could downregulate miR-944, and there was a negative correlation between SNHG6 expression and miR-944 expression in IPA samples. Besides, it was confirmed that miR-944 could pair with the 3'-untranslated region of RAB11A and repress its expression. Conclusions: This study authenticates that the SNHG6/miR-994/RAB11A axis plays a crucial role in regulating proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of IPA cells. SNHG6 and miR-994 can serve as novel valuable therapeutic targets for IPA.

Purpose: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to promote carcinogenesis and cancer progression in colon cancer. Enzymes involved in the metabolism of PGE2 include cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), and 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). The current study aims to determine how PGE2 is expressed by examining patients with colorectal cancer and evaluating colon cancer cells to gain insight into changes in relevant enzymes upon induction of PGE2.Methods: The concentration of PGE2 was measured in tumor tissues and adjacent normal mucosal tissues of 26 patients with colon cancer. The expression of COX-1, COX-2, mPGES-1, and 15-PGDH proteins was measured. The concentration of PGE2 in FET colon cancer cells was measured both in the initial status and after stimulation by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The expression levels of PGE2-related enzymes were measured as well.Results: There was no significant difference in the average concentration of PGE2, which was measured at 453.1 pg/mL in cancer tissues and 401.2 pg/mL in normal mucosa. Among PGE2-related enzymes, 15-PGDH was expressed at a lower level in tumor cells than in normal mucosa. In colon cancer cells, PGE2 was found to be upregulated upon stimulation by TNF-α, which led to strong induction of mPGES-1 without any change in the expression of COX-2 among the PGE2-related enzymes.Conclusion: These results demonstrated that PGE2 can be induced by stimuli such as TNF-α, and suggest that activation of mPGES-1 is more closely related than that of COX-2 in the induction of PGE2 on colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common human malignancies, is a leading cause of the cancer-related mortality. 5-FU is a first-line chemotherapeutic agent against CRC. Although CRC patients responded to 5-FU therapy initially, a part of patients succumbed to CRC due to the acquired drug resistance. Thus, investigating molecular mechanisms underlying chemoresistance will contribute to developing novel strategies against colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: Accumulation evidence revealed pivotal roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance of CRC. However, the precise roles and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA-HCG11 in CRC remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the biological roles and underlying mechanisms of HCG11 as well as its molecular targets in regulating the cellular metabolism processes, which facilitate the chemoresistance of CRC. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study uncovers that HCG11 was significantly upregulated in CRC tumors tissues and cell lines. Moreover, HCG11 was elevated in 5-FU resistant CRC tumors. Silencing HCG11 inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glucose metabolism and sensitized CRC cells to 5-FU. In addition, we detected increased HCG11 expression level and glucose metabolism in the established 5-FU resistant CRC cell line (DLD-1 5-FU Res). Furthermore, microRNA-microArray, RNA pull-down and luciferase assays demonstrated that HCG11 inhibited miR-144-3p which displays suppressive roles in colon cancer via sponging it to form a ceRNA network. We identified pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), which is a glucose metabolism key enzyme, was directly targeted by miR-144-3p in CRC cells. Rescue studies validated that the miR-144-3p-inhibited glucose metabolism and 5-FU sensitization were through targeting PDK4. Finally, restoration of miR-144-3p in HCG11-overexpressing DLD-1 5-FU resistant cells successfully overcame the HCG11-faciliated 5-FU resistance via targeting PDK4. CONCLUSION: In summary, this study reveals critical roles and molecular mechanisms of the HCG11-mediated 5-FU resistance through modulating the miR-144-3p-PDK4-glucose metabolism pathway in CRC.