The miR-182/SORT1 axis regulates vascular smooth muscle cell calcification in vitro and in vivo

Arterial calcification is a common feature of cardiovascular disease. Sortilin is involved in the development of atherosclerosis, but the specific mechanism is unclear. In this study, we established calcification models in vivo and in vitro by using vitamin D₃ and β-glycerophosphate, respectively. In vivo, the expression of SORT1 was up-regulated and the expression of miR-182 was down-regulated in calcified arterial tissues. Meanwhile there was a negative correlation between SORT1 expression and miR-182 levels. In vitro, downregulating SORT1 expression using shRNA inhibited β-glycerophosphoric induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) calcification. Moreover, reduced sortilin levels followed transfection of miR-182 mimics, whereas there was a significant increase in sortilin levels after transfection of miR-182 inhibitors. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that SORT1 is the direct target of miR-182. Our study suggests that SORT1 plays a vital role in the development of arterial calcification and is regulated by miR-182.     

MicroRNA-21 promotes wound healing via the Smad7-Smad2/3-Elastin pathway

Wound healing is regulated by a complex network of cells, molecules, and cytokines, as well as microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs were confirmed to influence the wound healing process, and miR-21, an important member of the miRNA family, was also shown to regulate wound healing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-21 in the wound healing process and the possible underlying cell signaling pathways. We isolated GMSCs from WT and miR-21-KO mouse gingiva. Flow cytometric analysis and immunocytofluorescense staining were used to identify the GMSCs acquired from WT and miR-21-KO mice. RT-PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistofluorescence staining were performed to examine the expression of extracellular matrix components and key proteins of cell signaling pathways. TargetScan and pmiR-RB-REPORT vectors were used to verify that Smad7 was a direct target of miR-21. Compared to WT mice, miR-21-KO mice showed slower wound healing. RT-PCR and western blot analysis indicated that Elastin expression was downregulated in miR-21-deficient samples. We confirmed that Smad7 was a direct target of miR-21. miR-21 knockout resulted in increased expression of Smad7 and impaired phosphorylation of the Smad2/3 complex. The expression of the Smad7-Smad2/3-Elastin axis in palate tissues sections acquired from WT and miR-21-KO mice showed the same trend. Based on all these results, we demonstrated that miR-21 promoted the wound healing process via the Smad7-Smad2/3-Elastin pathway.     

microRNA-151-5p在肾血管性高血压大鼠血管内皮细胞中的表达及意义

目的:研究microRNA-151-5p(miR-151-5p)在两肾一夹(2K1C)肾血管性高血压大鼠中的表达,并为miR-151-5p参与调节血管内皮细胞功能提供理论依据。方法:建立2K1C大鼠模型,获得胸主动脉血管内皮,采用荧光定量PCR技术检测血管内皮细胞中miR-151-5p的表达,通过数据库及生物信息学软件预测miR-151-5p的靶基因,并对靶基因进行GO富集和KEGG pathway分析。结果:与假手术组大鼠相比较,实验组大鼠胸主动脉血管内皮细胞miR-151-5p的表达量显著升高(P0.05)。GO分析显示miR-151-5p的靶基因参与蛋白加工水解、Notch受体加工等多种生物学功能(P0.01);KEGG pathway分析显示miR-151-5p的靶基因参与Notch信号通路、血管平滑肌收缩、代谢途径、细菌感染和RNA转运等信号通路。结论:2K1C大鼠血管内皮细胞中miR-151-5p表达升高,可能通过对其靶基因APH1A的调控参与血管内皮细胞功能调节。     

Hsa_circ_0009910 promotes carcinogenesis by promoting the expression of miR-449a target IL6R in osteosarcoma

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently shown capabilities as gene regulators in mammals. Some of them interact with microRNAs (miRNAs) and function as sponges to affect related miRNAs' activities. In this study, the molecular function of circRNA_0009910 and its potential downstream miRNA targets were explored. The expression levels of hsa_circ_0009910 were found to be overexpressed in osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Knockdown of circ_0009910 induced cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in OS cells. The target miRNA was predicted to be miR-449a, whose expression was downregulated in OS cells. Inhibition of miR-449a abolished the effect of circ_0009910 knockdown on cell growth and apoptosis. The expression of miR-449a were found to be negatively correlated with that of circ_0009910 in OS tissues. Direct interaction of circ_0009910 and miR-449a was confirmed through dual-luciferase assays. Moreover, IL6R was predicted as a potential target of miR-449a. Overexpression of miR-449a decreased the mRNA and protein levels of IL6R. Restoration of IL6R impaired the miR-449a induced inhibition of cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. The mRNA expression of IL6R was inversely correlated with miR-449a in OS tissues. In addition, JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway was regulated by circ_0009910/miR-449a/IL6R axis. Taken together, we suggested that circ_0009910 acted as a sponge of miR-449a and upregulated miR-449a functional target IL6R, thereby contributed to carcinogenesis of OS.     

miR-939-5p对糖尿病视性网膜病变和视网膜微血管内皮细胞的调控作用

摘要 目的：探究miR-939-5p对糖尿病性视网膜病变和人视网膜微血管内皮细胞（HRMEC）的调控作用。方法：将miR-939-5p模拟物（miR-939-5p-mimic）或miR-939-5p抑制剂（miR-939-5p-inhibitor）转染到HRMEC中,并将细胞用高糖（HG组,25 mM）或低糖（LG组,5 mM）处理24 h。通过细胞计数试剂盒8（CCK-8）来检测细胞活力,EdU法检测细胞DNA的复制能力,Hoechst 33258染色检测细胞凋亡,使用双荧光素酶试剂盒E2920验证miR-939-5p与NOS2 3''-UTR之间的结合关系。对大鼠腹腔注射65 mg/kg的链脲佐菌素（STZ）诱导DR模型,通过RT-qPCR检测miR-939-5p水平,Western Blot检测诱导型一氧化氮合酶（NOS2）水平,苏木精伊红（HE）染色检查大鼠视网膜形态,免疫组织化学染色检测视网膜Claudin-5和Occludin的表达,伊文思蓝染色检测大鼠血视网膜屏障（BRB）通透性,ELISA法检测大鼠房水中白介素-1β（IL-1β）和肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）的水平。结果：与LG组的HRMEC相比,HG组的miR-939-5p显著降低,而NOS2蛋白水平显著升高（P<0.05）。荧光素酶活性测定显示,与NC-mimic组相比,miR-939-5p-mimic与pGL3-NOS2-WT共转染组的荧光素酶活性显著降低（P<0.05）。与HG+NC-mimic组相比,HG+miR-939-5p-mimic组的miR-939-5p水平和细胞活力显著升高,而NOS2蛋白水平和细胞凋亡率显著降低（P<0.05）。与DR组相比,miR-939-5p-Agomir组大鼠视网膜组织病变减轻,Claudin-5和Occludin的表达水平明显升高,伊文思蓝浓度显著降低（P<0.05）;与DR组相比,miR-939-5p-Agomir组大鼠房水中IL-1β和TNF-α的水平均显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：在高糖培养的HRMEC中和DR大鼠视网膜中,miR-939-5p为低表达模式,NOS2为高表达模式。上调miR-939-5p通过靶向抑制NOS2对DR大鼠视网膜和HRMEC提供保护作用。     

MicroRNA 421 suppresses DPC4/Smad4 in pancreatic cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators in the development of pancreatic cancer and may be a valuable therapeutic application. DPC4/Smad4 is a critical tumor suppressor involved in the progression of pancreatic cancer, but few studies have been conducted to determine its relationship with miRNAs. In this study, we identify miR-421 as a potential regulator of DPC4/Smad4. We find that in human clinical specimens of pancreatic cancer miR-421 is aberrantly upregulated while DPC4/Smad4 is strongly repressed, and their levels of expression are inversely correlated. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-421 significantly decreases DPC4/Smad4 protein level in pancreatic cancer cell lines and simultaneously promotes cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro. Our findings identify miR-421 as a potent regulator of DPC4/Smad4, which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of DPC4/Smad4-driven pancreatic cancer.     

miR-224在原发性肝癌患者血清中的表达及意义

目的：原发性肝癌（primary hepatocellular carcinoma,PHC）作为常见的恶性程度极高的肿瘤,严重威胁着人类的生命。miR-224是近年来发现的一个肿瘤相关miRNA分子,在肿瘤的发生及发展过程中发挥着重要的作用。本研究通过测定原发性肝癌患者血清中miR-224的表达水平,探讨血清miR．224与原发性肝癌预后的关系。方法：采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR（Real-timeRT．PCR）方法。分别检测40例原发性肝癌患者,20例慢性肝炎患者,20例慢性肝硬化患者及20例正常人的血清标本中miR-224的表达水平。分析血清miR-224的表达水平与AFP和MMP-9的相关性。结果：原发性肝癌患者血清miR-224的表达水平明显高于正常人、慢性肝炎和慢性肝硬化患者（P〈0．05）。皮尔森相关分析结果显示原发性肝癌患者血清miR-224的表达与AFP和MMP．9呈正相关。血清miR-224低表达组术后复发／转移率显著低于高表达组,术后生存率则高于高表达组（P〈0．01）。结论：miR-224在原发性肝癌患者的血清中呈高表达,其血清表达水平与原发性肝癌的临床预后密切相关。这提示我们,miR-224可能成为新的原发性肝癌检测标记物和潜在的原发性肝癌预后分子标志物。     

肿瘤干细胞标记物CD_(133)与miR-429在大肠癌组织中的表达及其相关性研究

目的:检测CD133不同亚群大肠癌细胞HT-29的miR-429表达情况,探讨miR-429及CD133的表达与肿瘤的发生发展之间的关系。方法:采用荧光活化细胞分选法(FACS)分选出CD133不同亚群细胞,实时荧光定量PCR分别检测两组细胞miR-429的表达,合成miR-429寡核苷酸和阴性对照miRNA并分别转染CD133+和CD133-两个亚群细胞。再将细胞种植于非肥胖糖尿病/严重联合免疫缺陷(NOD/SCID)小鼠体内构建移植瘤模型,不同时间测量肿瘤体积和重量,RT-PCR及蛋白质印迹检测CD133+和CD133-两组肿瘤CD133mRNA和蛋白质表达。结果:血清检出CD133+细胞为67.9%,miR-429的表达量是CD133+细胞的(1.83±0.91)倍(P0.05),CD133+比例与miR-429表达呈负相关(r=0.591,P0.05);miR-429+/CD133+组的移植瘤体积及重量与对照组比较有统计学差异(P0.05),且miR-429+/CD133+组成瘤时间较对照组晚约2周,但miR-429+/CD133+组的移植瘤CD133表达量低,与阴性对照组比较无明显差异(P0.05)。结论:miR-429可能作为CD133的负性调控因子,具有抑制肿瘤生长的作用,但miR-429与CD133在肿瘤发生、发展过程中的作用机制有待进一步研究阐明。     

MicroRNA-29b Regulates Ethanol-induced Neuronal Apoptosis in the Developing Cerebellum through SP1/RAX/PKR Cascade

Neuronal loss is a prominent etiological factor for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The cerebellum is one of the areas in the developing central nervous system that is most sensitive to ethanol, especially during the temporal window of ethanol vulnerability. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs capable of regulating diverse cellular functions including apoptosis. Ethanol exposure has been shown to interfere with the expression of microRNAs. However, the role of microRNAs in ethanol neurotoxicity is still not clear. In the present study, we identified a particular microRNA, miR-29b, as a novel target of ethanol in the developing cerebellar granule neurons. We discovered that ethanol exposure suppressed miR-29b and induced neuronal apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-29b rendered neurons protection against ethanol-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, our data indicated that miR-29b mediated ethanol neurotoxicity through the SP1/RAX/PKR cascade. More importantly, the expression of miR-29b is developmentally regulated, which may account for, at least partially, the temporal window of ethanol sensitivity in the developing cerebellum.     

Diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-200 family in breast cancer: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer for women all over the world. Great interests have been paid to discover accurate and noninvasive methods for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Although the diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNA-200 (miRNA- 200, miR-200) family has been revealed in many studies, the results were inconsistent. Thus, this meta-analysis aims to assess the overall value of miRNA-200 family in breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis.MethodRelevant studies were searched from the following databases: PubMed, PMC, EMBASE, and ScienceDirect using key words: ("miRNA-200 family" or "miR-141" or "miR-200a" or "miR-200b" or "miR-200c" or "miR-429") and (“HER2” or “Luminal A” or “Luminal B” or “TNBC”) and ("breast cancers" or "breast carcinoma" or "breast malignancy" or "breast tumor"). The sensitivity, specificity, AUC were then calculated to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of the miR-200 family. As for the prognostic value of the miR-200 family, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) was assessed. Heterogeneity among individual studies was also examined by subgroup analyses.ResultA total of 24 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The diagnostic value of miR-200s in BC was presented by the pooled sensitivity was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.83-0.88); the pooled specificity was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.89); the pooled AUC was 0.931 (95% CI: 0.919-0.942). Besides, expression of miR-200s in metastatic breast cancer has sensitivity, specificity and AUC of 0.70 (95%CI: 0.56-0.81), 0.72 (95%CI: 0.61-0.81), and 0.814 (95%CI: 0.741-0.903), respectively. The meta-analysis then revealed that high expression of miR-200 family corresponded to poor OS (HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.03-2.52), poor DFS (HR: 1.55, 95% CI: 0.95-2.56) in BC patients while downregulation of miRNA-200s corresponded to poor OS (HR= 0.84, 95%CI: 0.46-1.63) in TNBC patients and poor OS (HR=0.49; 95%CI: 0.27-0.88) in luminal BC patient.ConclusionThe MiR-200 family has high diagnostic accuracy and can be used as an important biomarker to prognosticate breast cancer.