Objective: To explore the effect of microRNA-124 (miR-124)/caveolin-1 in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The expression levels of miR-124 and caveolin-1 were evaluated in HCC tissues, adjacent tissues, and cell lines by qRT-PCR. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to confirm the relationship between microRNA-124 and caveolin-1. MicroRNA-124 mediated caveolin-1 levels, which was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. CCK-8, colony formation, and transwell assays were used to evaluate the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Results: A low level of miR-124 together with a high level of caveolin-1 was found in HCC tissues and MHCC97H cells compared with control cells. Caveolin-1 was determined to be the target gene of miR-124, and alterations of miR-124 could modulate caveolin-1. Cells transfected with a miR-124 mimic in MHCC97H cells inhibited proliferation and invasion, whereas upregulation of caveolin-1 promoted proliferation and invasion. MHCC97L cells transfected with a miR-124 inhibitor showed increased proliferation and invasion, whereas cells transfected with siCaveolin-1 showed decreased proliferation and invasion. Patients with HCC with higher miR-124 and lower caveolin-1 levels lived longer than patients with lower miR-124 and higher caveolin-1 levels. Conclusions: MiR-124 mediated the proliferation and invasion of HCC by targeting caveolin-1.

Objective To investigate the roles of neuroinflammation and pathology of peripheral nervous system in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the nodose ganglia (containing vagus nerve) and intestine of an autopsy case of PD.The neuroinflammation and morphological changes of vagus nerve and enteric nervous system were observed.Results The expressions and distributions of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1,two typical glia cell biomarkers,were different in vagus nerve and intestinal mucosa.Tumor necrosis factor α and inducible nitric oxide synthase were expressed in intestinal mucosa and myenteric plexus of the PD patient.There was a strong inflammatory reaction in the myenteric plexus,which distributed diffusely.Conclusion Satellite glial cells and intestinal inflammatory response may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.