1. Transcriptome Analysis Identifies SenZfp536, a Sense LncRNA that Suppresses Self-renewal of Cortical Neural Progenitors
Kuan TIAN ; Andi WANG ; Junbao WANG ; Wei LI ; Wenchen SHEN ; Yamu LI ; Zhiyuan LUO ; Ying LIU ; Yan ZHOU ; Kuan TIAN ; Andi WANG ; Junbao WANG ; Wei LI ; Wenchen SHEN ; Yamu LI ; Zhiyuan LUO ; Ying LIU ; Yan ZHOU ; Yan ZHOU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2021;37(2):183-200
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate transcription to control development and homeostasis in a variety of tissues and organs. However, their roles in the development of the cerebral cortex have not been well elucidated. Here, a bioinformatics pipeline was applied to delineate the dynamic expression and potential cis-regulating effects of mouse lncRNAs using transcriptome data from 8 embryonic time points and sub-regions of the developing cerebral cortex. We further characterized a sense lncRNA, SenZfp536, which is transcribed downstream of and partially overlaps with the protein-coding gene Zfp536. Both SenZfp536 and Zfp536 were predominantly expressed in the proliferative zone of the developing cortex. Zfp536 was cis-regulated by SenZfp536, which facilitates looping between the promoter of Zfp536 and the genomic region that transcribes SenZfp536. Surprisingly, knocking down or activating the expression of SenZfp536 increased or compromised the proliferation of cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs), respectively. Finally, overexpressing Zfp536 in cortical NPCs reversed the enhanced proliferation of cortical NPCs caused by SenZfp536 knockdown. The study deepens our understanding of how lncRNAs regulate the propagation of cortical NPCs through cis-regulatory mechanisms.
2.Exosomes rewire the cartilage microenvironment in osteoarthritis: from intercellular communication to therapeutic strategies.
Yuangang WU ; Jiao LI ; Yi ZENG ; Wenchen PU ; Xiaoyu MU ; Kaibo SUN ; Yong PENG ; Bin SHEN
International Journal of Oral Science 2022;14(1):40-40
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage loss and accounts for a major source of pain and disability worldwide. However, effective strategies for cartilage repair are lacking, and patients with advanced OA usually need joint replacement. Better comprehending OA pathogenesis may lead to transformative therapeutics. Recently studies have reported that exosomes act as a new means of cell-to-cell communication by delivering multiple bioactive molecules to create a particular microenvironment that tunes cartilage behavior. Specifically, exosome cargos, such as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and proteins, play a crucial role in OA progression by regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammatory response of joint cells, rendering them promising candidates for OA monitoring and treatment. This review systematically summarizes the current insight regarding the biogenesis and function of exosomes and their potential as therapeutic tools targeting cell-to-cell communication in OA, suggesting new realms to improve OA management.
Apoptosis
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Cartilage/pathology*
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Cartilage, Articular/metabolism*
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Cell Communication
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Chondrocytes/metabolism*
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Exosomes/pathology*
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Humans
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Osteoarthritis/therapy*