miR-138-5p targets MCU to inhibit mitochondrial biogenesis and colorectal cancer growth

miR-138-5p has been identified as a novel cancer-related miRNA molecule in a variety of malignancies. However, the functions and mechanisms underlying miR-138-5p in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains largely unknown. In the present study, we analysed the biological effects and clinical significance of miR-138-5p in CRC. miR-138-5p expression was analysed by quantitative real-time PCR in CRC tissues and cell lines. The effects of miR-138-5p on CRC cell growth was detected by cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis assays in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that miR-138-5p was significantly downregulated in CRC. Downregulated miR-138-5p was related with poor prognosis in patients with CRC. miR-138-5p suppressed CRC growth but promoted cell death both in vitro and in vivo. Online predictions and integrated experiments identified that miR-138-5p targeted MCU, and downregulated miR-138-5p promoted mitochondrial biogenesis in CRC. In the light of the underlying mechanisms, our results indicated that downregulated miR-138-5p led to increased expression of MCU, which subsequently increased the production of ROS to promote CRC growth. Our results indicated that downregulated miR-138-5p strengthened mitochondrial biogenesis through targeting MCU, thus contributing to CRC cell growth, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for CRC.     

MiR-134-5p attenuates neuropathic pain progression through targeting Twist1

Neuropathic pain is a kind of chronic pain because of dysfunctions of somatosensory nerve system. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRs) play crucial roles in neuropathic pain development. This study was designed to investigate the effects of miR-134-5p on the process of neuropathic pain progression in a rat model established by chronic sciatic nerve injury (CCI). First, we observed that miR-134-5p was significantly decreased in CCI rat models. Overexpression of miR-134-5p strongly alleviated neuropathic pain behaviors including mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Meanwhile, inflammatory cytokine expression, such as IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in CCI rats were greatly repressed by upregulation of miR-134-5p. Twist1 has been widely regarded as a poor prognosis biomarker in diverse diseases. Here, by using bioinformatic analysis, 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of Twist1 was predicted to be a downstream target of miR-134-5p in our study. Here, we found that overexpression of miR-134-5p was able to suppress Twist1 dramatically. Furthermore, it was exhibited that Twist1 was increased in CCI rats time-dependently and Twist1 was inhibited in vivo. Subsequently, downregulation of Twist1 in CCI rats could depress neuropathic pain progression via inhibiting neuroinflammation. In conclusion, our current study indicated that miR-134-5p may inhibit neuropathic pain development through targeting Twist1. Our findings suggested that miR-134-5p might provide a novel therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.     

miR-138-5p靶向缺氧诱导因子1α对胰腺癌PANC-1细胞生长和转移的调节作用

目的探索miR-138-5p对胰腺癌细胞PANC-1生长、转移的影响及其相关机制。方法应用荧光实时定量PCR (real-time quantitative PCR, RT-PCR)检测miR-138-5p及其缺氧诱导因子1α(hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha, HIF-1α)在PANC-1细胞中的表达。应用荧光素酶报告检测验证miR-138-5p与HIF-1α之间的生物学关系。通过体外试验研究miR-138-5p、HIF-1α在PANC-1细胞中的生物学功能,Western blot检测蛋白表达情况;CCK-8检测PANC-1细胞增殖能力;Transwell试验检测PANC-1细胞侵袭能力;划痕试验检测PANC-1细胞迁移能力。结果 miR-138-5p表达明显下调HIF-1α表达水平(P<0.01),生物信息学预测和荧光素酶报告试验证明miR-138-5p通过直接结合HIF-1α 3′-未翻译区域(3′-UTR)抑制HIF-1α。在PANC-1细胞中,miR-138-5p过表达可抑制HIF-1α表达及细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论 miR-138-5p结合HIF-1α 3′-UTR的沉默HIF-1α;miR-138-5p通过打靶HIF-1α而抑制胰腺癌细胞PANC-1增殖和转移。HIF-1α可能是胰腺癌的治疗靶点。     

LOC103691336/miR-138-5p/BMPR2 axis modulates Mg-mediated osteogenic differentiation in rat femoral fracture model and rat primary bone marrow stromal cells

Intramedullary stabilization is frequently used to treat long bone fractures. Since implant removal can become technically very challenging with the potential to cause further tissue damage, biodegradable materials are emerging as alternative options. Magnesium (Mg)-based biodegradable implants have a controllable degradation rate and good tissue compatibility, which makes them attractive for musculoskeletal research. Herein, the degradation of Mg and steel implants, the pathological characteristics and osteoblast differentiation in mice femora were examined. To investigate the molecular mechanism, we analyzed the differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in Mg-implanted or stain-steel-implanted callus tissues. lncRNA LOC103691336 was upregulated in Mg-implanted tissues and most relevant to BMPR2, a kinase receptor of BMPs with an established role in osteogenesis. The knockdown of LOC103691336 attenuated Mg-mediated osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, miR-138-5p, previously reported to inhibit osteogenic differentiation, could bind to LOC103691336 and BMPR2 in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). LOC103691336 competed with BMPR2 for miR-138-5p binding in BMSCs to attenuate the inhibitory effect of miR-138-5p on BMPR2 expression. Finally, the effect of LOC103691336 knockdown on Mg-mediated osteogenic differentiation could be attenuated by miR-138-5p inhibition. In conclusion, we provided a novel mechanism of Mg implants mediating the osteogenesis differentiation and demonstrated that Mg implants may be promising for improving fracture healing.     

MiR-127-5p通过靶向调节adipoR1促进骨关节炎软骨细胞的增殖

脂联素（adiponection）与骨关节炎（osteoarthritis, OA）的发病密切相关,且主要通过其受体adipoR1发挥作用。而骨关节炎中脂联素的表达是否受miRNA表达的影响却未见报道。本文旨在研究miR-127-5p对骨关节炎软骨细胞中脂联素及细胞增殖的影响。分离培养人原代OA软骨细胞及对应正常细胞,甲苯胺蓝染色和II型胶原免疫细胞化学染色进行鉴定。 Real-time PCR结果表明,OA软骨细胞中miR-127-5p的表达与正常软骨细胞中的相比较显著下降。MiR-127-5p转染可显著降低荧光素酶报告基因的荧光强度（P<0.05）,表明adipoR1为miR-127-5p的靶向基因。MiR-127-5p mimic转染软骨细胞后,MTT法研究结果表明,miR-127-5p mimic 可显著促进软骨细胞增殖,Western 印迹结果表明,脂联素及其受体（adipoR1）表达显著上升,p65的表达以及p38、ERK1/2以及IkBα的磷酸化水平显著下降。ELISA结果表明,MMP-1、MMP-3、MMP-13的含量显著下降。实验结果提示,miR-127-5p通过靶向下调adipoR1及脂联素的表达,促进软骨细胞增殖,并且抑制NF-κB信号通路,进而抑制炎性反应。     

MiR-125a-5p抑制3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞分化

MicroRNAs(miRNAs) 是一类在脂肪组织发育中发挥重要作用的小非编码RNA. 为探明miR-125a-5p在3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞中的作用,采用实时qPCR检测了miR-125a-5p在小鼠各组织及3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞分化过程中的表达|使用经化学修饰的miR-125a-5p模拟物agomir及抑制剂antagomir转染3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞,采用实时qPCR 和 Western印迹检测成脂标志基因Pparγ和aP2的表达,油红O染色观察脂肪细胞脂质积累. 结果显示,miR-125-5p在小鼠脂肪组织中高丰度表达,在3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞分化过程中表达下降.过表达miR-125a-5p,与对照组相比,成脂标志基因Pparγ和aP2在mRNA和蛋白质水平均明显下降|油红O染色及定量结果显示脂质积累减少. 抑制剂处理结果显示,Pparγ和aP2在mRNA和蛋白质水平均有不同程度上升,但油红O染色及定量结果差异不显著. 以上结果表明,miR-125a-5p在脂肪细胞分化中发挥负调控作用.     

MicroRNA-218-5p relieves postmenopausal osteoporosis through promoting the osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

MicroRNAs (miRs) are short noncoding RNAs that play key regulatory roles in osteoblast differentiation. In this study, the specific regulatory roles of miR-218-5p on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) were investigated. The mouse model of PMOP was established by bilateral ovariectomy, and the injection of miR-218-5p mimics significantly relieved PMOP degree. Then, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) isolated from PMOP mice were induced into osteoblasts. When compared with normal BMMSCs , PMOP BMMSCs exhibited significantly lower alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and less mineralized nodules, as well as downregulated miR-218-5p, Runx2, Osterix, COL1A1, and OCN after induction (P < .05). The transfection of miR-218-5p mimics, and inhibitor significantly promoted, inhibited the osteoblast differentiation of PMOP BMMSCs, respectively. In addition, COL1A1 was a target of miR-218-5p. The transfection of miR-218-5p mimics into PMOP BMMSCs significantly upregulated COL1A1 at 14th and 21st day post-induction, but not at 7th day. Our findings suggest miR-218-5p may relieve PMOP through promoting the osteoblast differentiation of BMMSCs.     

Long-chain noncoding RNA-GAS5/hsa-miR-138-5p attenuates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte damage by targeting CYP11B2

Objective: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the complications experienced by patients with diabetes. In recent years, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been investigated because of their role in the progression of various diseases, including DCM. The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of lncRNA GAS5 in high glucose (HG)-induced cardiomyocyte injury and apoptosis.Materials and methods: We constructed HG-induced AC16 cardiomyocytes and a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetes model. GAS5 was overexpressed and knocked out at the cellular level, and GAS5 was knocked down by lentiviruses at the animal level to observe its effect on myocardial injury. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of GAS5. Cell proliferation and apoptosis after GAS5 knockout were detected by CCK-8, TUNEL, and flow cytometry assays. ELISA was used to detect the changes in myocardial enzyme content in cells and animal myocardial tissues during the action of GAS5 on myocardial injury.Results: GAS5 expression was up-regulated in HG-treated AC16 cardiomyocytes and the rat diabetic myocardial injury model. The down-regulation of GAS5 could inhibit HG-induced myocardial damage. This work proved that the down-regulation of GAS5 could reverse cardiomyocyte injury and apoptosis by targeting miR-138 to down-regulate CYP11B2.Conclusion: We confirmed for the first time that the down-regulation of GAS5 could reverse CYP11B2 via the miR-138 axis to reverse HG-induced cardiomyocyte injury. This research might provide a new direction for explaining the developmental mechanism of DCM and potential targets for the treatment of myocardial injury.     

Circ_0005615 promotes cervical cancer cell growth and metastasis by modulating the miR-138-5p/KDM2A axis

Cervical cancer (CC) is a highly fatal gynecological malignancy due to its high metastasis and recurrence rate. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been regarded as a regulator of CC. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of circ_0005615 in CC remains unclear. The levels of circ_0005615, miR-138-5p, and lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A) were measured using qRT-PCR or western blot. Cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, and colony formation experiments. Cell invasion and migration were tested by transwell assay and wound healing assay. Flow cytometry and Caspase-Glo 3/7 Assay kit were used to analyze cell apoptosis. The expression of proliferation-related and apoptosis-related markers was detected by western blot. The binding relationships among circ_0005615, miR-138-5p, and KDM2A were verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Xenograft assay was applied to detect the effect of circ_0005615 in vivo. Circ_0005615 and KDM2A were upregulated, while miR-138-5p was downregulated in CC tissues and cells. Circ_0005615 knockdown retarded cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while promoting apoptosis. Besides, circ_0005615 sponged miR-138-5p, and miR-138-5p could target KDM2A. miR-138-5p inhibitor reversed the regulation of circ_0005615 knockdown on CC cell growth and metastasis, and KDM2A overexpression also abolished the inhibitory effect of miR-138-5p on CC cell growth and metastasis. In addition, we also discovered that circ_0005615 silencing inhibited CC tumor growth in vivo. Circ_0005615 acted as a tumor promoter in CC by regulating the miR-138-5p/KDM2A pathway.     

MiR-17-5p and MKL-1 modulate stem cell characteristics of gastric cancer cells

Effectively targeting cancer stem cells to treat cancer has great therapeutic prospects. However, the effect of microRNA miR-17/MKL-1 on gastric cancer stem cells has not been studied yet. This study preliminarily explored the mechanism of miR-17/MKL-1 in gastric cancer stem cells. Many previous reports have indicated that microRNA and EMT regulated cancer stem cell characteristics, and miR-17 and MKL-1 were involved as a critical gene in migration and invasion in the EMT pathway. Through RT-PCR, Western Blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, sphere formation xenograft tumor assays and drug resistance, the role of miR-17-5p and MKL-1 on promoting stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer were verified in vivo and vitro. Next, MKL-1 targets CD44, EpCAM, and miR -17-5p promoter verified by luciferase assay and ChIP. Besides, the TCGA database analysis found that both miR-17-5p and MKL-1 increased in gastric cancer, and the prognostic survival of the MKL-1 high expression group was reduced. It is found that MKL-1 promotes expression by targeting miR-17, CD44 and EpCAM promoters. Besides, the TCGA database analysis found that both miR-17-5p and MKL-1 increased in gastric cancer, and the prognostic survival of the MKL-1 high expression group was reduced. These findings reveal new regulatory signaling pathways for gastric cancer stem cells, thus it give new insights on potential early diagnosis and/or molecular therapy for gastric cancer.     

Protective effect of miR-138-5p inhibition modified human mesenchymal stem cell on ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome

The objective of the study is to evaluate the protective effects of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) modified with miR-138-5p inhibitor against the allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome (ARAS). MiR-138-5p or negative control was transfected into hMSCs, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to evaluate hMSC surface markers. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate miR-138-5p, SIRT1, caspase-3, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels after TNF-α and IL-6 stimulations. hMSCs with or without miR-138-5p inhibition was intranasally administered into ARAS mice (n = 10 each group), followed by monitoring sneezing and nasal rubbing events to evaluate the allergic symptoms. Histamine, ovalbumin-specific IgE, IgG2a, IgG1 and LTC4 release were monitored in the serum and nasal lavage fluid using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of SIRT1 and HMGB1/TLR4 pathway in nasal mucosa was assessed. After miR-138-5p inhibitor transfection, the hMSC lineage was preserved. Binding between SIRT1 and miR-138-4p was observed, and miR-138-5p inhibition led to upregulation of SIRT1. Inhibition of miR-138-5p led to attenuated inflammatory responses of hMSCs upon TNF-α and IL-6 stimulation, and allergic symptoms in mice, as well as histamine and ovalbumin-specific IgG release. hMSCs with miR-138-5p inhibition showed characteristics of activated SIRT1 and inhibited HMGB1/TLR4 pathway. Inhibition of miR-138-5p in hMSCs enhanced its effects in attenuating inflammatory responses and allergic reaction in the ARAS model, which is presumably regulated by SIRT1 and the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway.     

MiRNA-1271-5p regulates osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells by targeting forkhead box O1 (FOXO1)

Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) is a key regulator of osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting FOXO1 in osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Three miRNA target prediction programs were used to search for potential miRNAs that target FOXO1. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the expression of miR-1271-5p and FOXO1 during osteogenic differentiation. Target gene prediction and screening, luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the downstream target gene of miR-1271-5p. The expression levels of FOXO1 and Runx2 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and matrix mineralization were detected by biochemical methods. The expression levels of Runx2, ALP, and osteocalcin were detected by RT-qPCR. Our results showed that miR-1271-5p was downregulated during osteogenic induction. And the expression levels of miR-1271-5p were higher in osteoporotic tissues than that in adjacent nonosteoporotic tissues. The expression levels of FOXO1 were lower in osteoporotic tissues than that in adjacent nonosteoporotic tissues. And a negative correlation was found between miR-1271-5p and FOXO1 in osteoporotic tissues. Overexpression of miR-1271-5p downregulated FOXO1 and inhibited osteogenic differentiation in hMSCs. Overexpression of miR-1271-5p downregulated the expression of osteogenic markers and reduced ALP activity. In addition, ectopic expression of FOXO1 reversed the effect of miR-1271-5p on osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, miR-1271-5p functioned as a therapeutic target of osteogenic differentiation in hMSCs by inhibiting FOXO1, which provides valuable insights into the use of miR-1271-5p as a target in the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone metabolic diseases.     

miR-305-3p和miR-71-5p通过调控谷胱甘肽代谢途径参与斜纹夜蛾应对植物次生物质

昆虫和植物在长期进化过程中形成相互作用的关系。其中植物次生物质是植物防御昆虫的主要机制,而昆虫则以解毒酶来应对。为了发现可用于害虫防治的miRNA,通过对农业害虫斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura进食芥菜Brassica juncea后中肠的测序分析,获得了一系列差异表达的miRNA。通过生物信息学分析,发现斜纹夜蛾miR-305-3p靶向了谷胱甘肽代谢中的谷氨酸半胱氨酸连接酶的催化亚基(Slgclc),这是一个谷胱甘肽从头合成的限速酶;而miR-71-5p靶向调控gclc和解毒酶表达的转录因子SlNrf2。用芥菜的次生物质吲哚-3-甲醇处理斜纹夜蛾Spli-221细胞株后,实时荧光定量PCR证明Slgclc和SlNrf2表达上调,miR-305-3p和miR-71-5p表达下调。分别在斜纹夜蛾Spli-221细胞中超表达miR-305-3p及miR-71-5p mimics,Slgclc或SlNrf2转录水平下调,并且miR-71-5p mimic处理抑制了SlNrf2下游基因Slgclc和解毒酶谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)的表达。结果表明:miR-305-3p和miR-71-5p响应植物次生物质而分别促进Slgclc和SlNrf2表达。然而双荧光素酶实验显示miR-305-3p并不与Slgclc直接结合,miR-71-5p也不与SlNrf2直接结合,推测miR-305-3p和miR-71-5p可能间接调控Slgclc和SlNrf2的表达。研究结果表明,斜纹夜蛾miR-305-3p和miR-71-5p通过调控解毒酶GSTs表达及其底物谷胱甘肽的生成,而参与昆虫抵抗植物次生物质。     

miR-134-5p inhibits osteoclastogenesis through a novel miR-134-5p/Itgb1/MAPK pathway

Osteoporosis affects approximately 200 million people and severely affects quality of life, but the exact pathological mechanisms behind this disease remain unclear. Various miRNAs have been shown to play a predominant role in the regulation of osteoclast formation. In this study, we explored the role of miR-134-5p in osteoclastogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. We constructed an ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model and performed microarray analysis using bone tissue from OVX mice and their control counterparts. Quantitative RT-PCR data from bone tissue and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) confirmed the decreased expression of miR-134-5p in OVX mice observed in microarray analysis. In addition, a decrease in miR-134-5p was also observed during induced osteoclastogenesis of BMMs collected from C57BL/6N mice. Through transfection with miR-134-5p agomirs and antagomirs, we found that miR-134-5p knockdown significantly accelerated osteoclast formation and cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-134-5p directly targets the integrin surface receptor gene Itgb1. Cotransfection with Itgb1 siRNA reversed the effect of the miR-134-5p antagomir in promoting osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, the abundance levels of MAPK pathway proteins phosphorylated-p38 (p-p38) and phosphorylated-ERK (p-ERK) were significantly increased after transfection with the miR-134-5p antagomir but decreased after transfection with the miR-134-5p agomir or Itgb1 siRNA, which indicated a potential relationship between the miR-134-5p/Itgb1 axis and the MAPK pathway. Collectively, these results revealed that miR-134-5p inhibits osteoclast differentiation of BMMs both in vivo and in vitro and that the miR-134-5p/Itgb1/MAPK pathway might be a potential target for osteoporosis therapy.     

miR-129-5p调节小鼠乳腺上皮细胞内Igf-1的表达

MicroRNAs(miRNAs)是一类大约22个核苷酸的非编码RNA.它能通过调控生长因子表达,引发肿瘤形成、细胞增殖和组织器官发育.本文通过构建miR-129-5p靶基因序列的双荧光素酶报告载体分析了miR-129-5p与靶基因之间的关系,应用脂质体转染技术和实时荧光定量技术观察了miR-129-5p在小鼠乳腺上皮细胞中的表达量及其变化,通过CASY细胞活力仪检测转染后的细胞增殖与活力变化,采用Western 印迹方法检Igf-1的变化.结果表明：miR-129-5p在小鼠乳腺青春期表达最高,成功构建了Igf-1基因 3′UTR荧光素酶报告载体, miR-129-5p抑制其荧光素酶活性（P <0.01）,转染抑制子后miR-129-5p表达降低（P < 0.01）,胰岛素样生长因子（Igf-1)表达增强（P <0.05）,细胞增殖和活力增强（P <0.01）,结果提示：miR-129-5p可能通过抑制靶基因蛋白Igf 1的表达,进而抑制小鼠乳腺上皮细胞增殖和活力.