MicroRNA 320a and Membrane Antigens as Tools to Evaluate the Pathophysiology of Platelets Stored in Blood Banks

Our research group, through the analysis of miRNomes in platelet concentrates (PCs) stored in blood banks, identified and validated the miR-127 and miR-320a miRNAs as biomarkers of platelet storage lesions (PSLs) in PCs. In order to validate the miRNAs 127 and 320a methodologically, as PSL biomarkers in a large number of PC bags, we also evaluated important immunological markers involved in the platelet activation/aggregation process—the CD62P receptor (P-selectin), the surface glycoproteins (GP) IIb/IIIa, and the purinergic P2Y12 receptor—via flow cytometry. The miRNAs miR-127 and miR-320a were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). To carry out this study, 500 collection tubes were used at the upper edge of the PC bags containing platelets. Each tube was divided into seven equal parts (totaling 3500 samples) for platelet analysis from 7 different storage days, where the 1st day represents the high-quality control, and the 7th day corresponds to the low-quality control of the platelets. After analyzing all parameters during storage days, it was concluded that the relative quantification of miR-320a below 0.50 and the CD62P receptor below 27.92% are reliable indicators of the absence of storage lesions in blood banks. We believe that the values found in the expression of the CD62P receptor legitimize the use of the miR-320a and miR-127 miRNAs to build a kit capable of accurately measuring whether the stored platelets are suitable for transfusion.     

Protective Role of miR-34c in Hypoxia by Activating Autophagy through BCL2 Repression

Hypoxia leads to significant cellular stress that has diverse pathological consequences such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of regulators of the adaptive pathway in hypoxia. We identified a hypoxia-induced miRNA, miR-34c, that was significantly upregulated in hypoxic human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in murine blood vessels on day 3 of hindlimb ischemia (HLI). miR-34c directly inhibited BCL2 expression, acting as a toggle switch between apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo. BCL2 repression by miR-34c activated autophagy, which was evaluated by the expression of LC3-II. Overexpression of miR-34c inhibited apoptosis in HUVEC as well as in a murine model of HLI, and increased cell viability in HUVEC. Importantly, the number of viable cells in the blood vessels following HLI was increased by miR-34c overexpression. Collectively, our findings show that miR-34c plays a protective role in hypoxia, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for hypoxic and ischemic diseases in the blood vessels.     

miR-22 regulates C2C12 myoblast proliferation and differentiation by targeting TGFBR1

Recently, miR-22 was found to be differentially expressed in different skeletal muscle growth period, indicated that it might have function in skeletal muscle myogenesis. In this study, we found that the expression of miR-22 was the most in skeletal muscle and was gradually up-regulated during mouse myoblast cell (C2C12 myoblast cell line) differentiation. Overexpression of miR-22 repressed C2C12 myoblast proliferation and promoted myoblast differentiation into myotubes, whereas inhibition of miR-22 showed the opposite results. During myogenesis, we predicted and verified transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1), a key receptor of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, was a target gene of miR-22. Then, we found miR-22 could regulate the expression of TGFBR1 and down-regulate the Smad3 signaling pathway. Knockdown of TGFBR1 by siRNA suppressed the proliferation of C2C12 cells but induced its differentiation. Conversely, overexpression of TGFBR1 significantly promoted proliferation but inhibited differentiation of the myoblast. Additionally, when C2C12 cells were treated with different concentrations of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), the level of miR-22 in C2C12 cells was reduced. The TGFBR1 protein level was significantly elevated in C2C12 cells treated with TGF-β1. Moreover, miR-22 was able to inhibit TGF-β1-induced TGFBR1 expression in C2C12 cells. Altogether, we demonstrated that TGF-β1 inhibited miR-22 expression in C2C12 cells and miR-22 regulated C2C12 cell myogenesis by targeting TGFBR1.     

miR-106b在阿尔茨海默病中的作用机制

目的 探讨miR-106b在阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)发病中的作用.方法 取3月龄和6月龄APPswe/PSΔE9小鼠脑组织,进行microRNA芯片的检测;利用real-time PCR检测3、6、9月龄APPswe/PSΔE9小鼠脑组织中miR-106b的表达,对芯片检测结果进行验证;通过构建miR-106b稳定转染细胞系和miR-106b knockdown研究miR-106b与TGFBR2表达之间的关系; 构建TGFBR2 3'UTR-荧光素酶报告载体,验证miR-106b是否可以直接调控TGFBR2蛋白的表达;采用Western blot的方法检测APPswe/ΔPSΔE9小鼠和对照小鼠脑组织中TGFBR2蛋白的表达情况.结果 miR-106b在3月龄和6月龄AD模型小鼠脑组织中表达升高,在9月龄模型小鼠脑组织中表达降低;通过体外实验,我们发现miR-106b与TGFBR2蛋白的表达呈负相关;荧光素酶报告实验表明TGFBR2 3'UTR序列中包含miR-106b的结合位点;TGFBR2蛋白在3、6、9、12月龄AD模型小鼠脑组织中表达均降低.结论 miR-106b可能通过调控TGFBR2蛋白的表达影响TGF-β信号通路,从而参与AD的发病.     

miR-497 and miR-302b regulate ethanol-induced neuronal cell death through BCL2 protein and cyclin D2

In chronic alcoholism, brain shrinkage and cognitive defects because of neuronal death are well established, although the sequence of molecular events has not been fully explored yet. We explored the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in ethanol-induced apoptosis of neuronal cells. Ethanol-sensitive miRNAs in SH-SY5Y, a human neuroblastoma cell line, were identified using real-time PCR-based TaqMan low-density arrays. Long-term exposure to ethanol (0.5% v/v for 72 h) produced a maximum increase in expression of miR-497 (474-fold) and miR-302b (322-fold). Similar to SH-SY5Y, long-term exposure to ethanol induced miR-497 and miR-302b in IMR-32, another human neuroblastoma cell line. Using in silico approaches, BCL2 and cyclin D2 (CCND2) were identified as probable target genes of these miRNAs. Cotransfection studies with 3'-UTR of these genes and miRNA mimics have demonstrated that BCL2 is a direct target of miR-497 and that CCND2 is regulated negatively by either miR-302b or miR-497. Overexpression of either miR-497 or miR-302b reduced expression of their identified target genes and increased caspase 3-mediated apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells. However, overexpression of only miR-497 increased reactive oxygen species formation, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and induced cytochrome c release (mitochondria-related events of apoptosis). Moreover, ethanol induced changes in miRNAs, and their target genes were substantially prevented by pre-exposure to GSK-3B inhibitors. In conclusion, our studies have shown that ethanol-induced neuronal apoptosis follows both the mitochondria-mediated (miR-497- and BCL2-mediated) and non-mitochondria-mediated (miR-302b- and CCND2-mediated) pathway.     

miRNA-20a促进卵巢癌细胞OVCAR3的转移

目的检测miRNA．20a对卵巢癌细胞系OVCAR3转移能力的影响。方法通过实时定量RT-PCR验证反义寡核苷酸与小干扰RNA封闭与过表达的效果,然后利用MTF、软琼脂集落形成和transwell侵袭实验检测封闭和过表达miRNA．20a对OVCAR3细胞增殖及转移能力的影响。结果封闭内源性miRNA-20a后,细胞活性基本不受影响,但集落形成能力和细胞的转移能力明显降低。过表达miRNA-20a后,细胞活性基本不受影响,但集落形成能力和细胞的转移能力明显升高。结论miRNA-20a可能参与了卵巢癌细胞OVCAR3的转移。     

MicroRNA-221 promotes colorectal cancer cell invasion and metastasis by targeting RECK

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as regulators of metastasis. We provide insight into the behavior of miR-221 in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis by showing that miR-221 is significantly upregulated in metastatic CRC cell lines and tissues. miR-221 overexpression enhances, whereas miR-221 depletion reduces CRC cell migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. We identify RECK as a direct target of miR-221, reveal its expression to be inversely correlated with miR-221 in CRC samples and show that its re-introduction reverses miR-221-induced CRC invasiveness. Collectively, miR-221 is an oncogenic miRNA which may regulate CRC migration and invasion through targeting RECK.     

miR-92a-3p和miR-25-3p海绵上调Kiss1并影响雌性小鼠的青春期启动及动情周期

下丘脑Kiss1神经元产生的神经肽kisspeptin通过影响促性腺激素释放激素的分泌,参与青春期的启动、生殖系统的成熟以及排卵等过程的神经内分泌调节.Kiss1基因的表达受到包括多种反式调控因子及表观遗传的调控.预测与前期研究表明,miR-92a-3p、miR-25-3p的种子序列能够与Kiss1的3'-UTR直接结...