OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of cardiomyocytes-derived exosomes on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte injury and its mechanism. METHODS: Exosomes isolated from rat cardiomyocytes with or without LPS treatment were co-cultured with rat lymphocytes. The lymphocytes with or without exosome treatment were co-cultured with LPS-induced rat cardiomyocytes for 48 h. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry, and the expressions of apoptosis marker proteins and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were detected using Western blotting. The effects of human recombinant IL-38 protein on apoptosis and protein expressions in LPS-induced cardiomyocytes were examined. RESULTS: Compared with normal cardiomyocyte-derived exosomes, the exosomes from LPS-induced cardiomyocytes significantly enhanced proliferation and increased mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-38 in rat lymphocytes. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that miR-1275 in the exosome played a key role in LPS-induced cardiomyocyte injury, and in dual luciferase reporter gene assay, miR-1275 mimics significantly increased luciferase activity of WT-IL-38. Co-culture with lymphocytes treated with exosomes from LPS-induced cardiomyocytes significantly inhibited apoptosis of LPS-induced cardiomyocytes. Treatment with recombinant IL-38 also effectively lowered apoptosis rate of LPS-induced cardiomyocytes, reduced cellular expression of Bax protein, and increased the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, p-PI3K and p-AKT. CONCLUSIONS miR-1275 in exosomes derived from LPS-induced cardiomyocytes mediates IL-38 up-regulation expression in lymphocytes to activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibit LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Apoptosis/drug effects* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Rats ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation ; Interleukins/metabolism* ; Lymphocytes/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Signal Transduction ; Coculture Techniques ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of circular RNA circ_0000437 in regulating biological behaviors of breast cancer cells and the molecular mechanism. METHODS: Breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with sh-circ_0000437, mimics, inhibitor, si-CTPS1, or their respective negative controls. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of circ_0000437, let-7b-5p, CTPS1, Notch1, Hes1, and Numb in breast cancer cell lines and tissues. RNase R digestion was used to confirm the circular structure of circ_0000437 and its subcellular localization in the breast cancer cells was determined by cellular distribution analysis. The changes in proliferation, invasion and migration of the transfected cells were assessed using CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay and scratch assay. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were employed to validate binding interactions among circ_0000437, let-7b-5p, and CTPS1. The cellular expressions of CTPS1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin proteins were detected with Western blotting. A tumor-bearing mouse model was used to verify the oncogenic mechanism of circ_0000437 and CTPS1. RESULTS: Circ_0000437 and CTPS1 were upregulated while let-7b-5p was downregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Circ_0000437 or CTPS1 knockdown obviously suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Overexpression of let-7b-5p produced similar inhibitory effects, whereas inhibition of let-7b-5p significantly enhanced malignant behaviors of the cells. In the tumor-bearing mouse models, circ_0000437 knockdown significantly suppressed tumor growth, but co-transfection of the cells with pcDNA-CTPS1 accelerated tumor growth. Binding sites were identified between circ_0000437 and let-7b-5p and between let-7b-5p and CTPS1, and circ_0000437, let-7b-5p, and CTPS1 showed functional interactions in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Circ_0000437 is upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cells, and its high expression promotes proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT of breast cancer cells through the let-7b-5p/CTPS1 axis.
Humans ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Cell Proliferation ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Circular ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Movement ; Female ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Line, Tumor ; MCF-7 Cells ; Animals ; Mice

OBJECTIVES: To study the molecular mechanisms of LDH-loaded si-NEAT1 for regulating paclitaxel resistance and tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization in breast cancer. METHODS: qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-133b, and PD-L1 in breast cancer SKBR3 cells and paclitaxel-resistant SKBR3 cells (SKBR3-PR). The effects of transfection with si-NEAT1 and miR-133b mimics on MRP, MCRP and PD-L1 expressions and cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were investigated using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, scratch and Transwell assays, and flow cytometry. Rescue experiments were conducted using si-NEAT1 and miR-133b inhibitor. Human THP-1 macrophages were cultured in the presence of conditioned media (CM) derived from SKBR3 and SKBR3-PR cells with or with si-NEAT1 transfection for comparison of IL-4-induced macrophage polarization by detecting the surface markers. LDH@si-NEAT1 nanocarriers were constructed, and their effects on MRP, MCRP and PD-L1 expressions and cell behaviors of the tumor cells were examined. THP-1 cells were treated with the CM from LDH@si-NEAT1-treated tumor cells, and the changes in their polarization were assessed. RESULTS: SKBR3-PR cells showered significantly upregulated NEAT1 and PD-L1 expressions and lowered miR-133b expression as compared with their parental cells. Transfection with si-NEAT1 and miR-133b mimics inhibited viability, promoted apoptosis and enhanced MRP and BCRP expressions in SKBR3-PR cells. NEAT1 knockdown obvious upregulated miR-133b and downregulated PD-L1, MRP and BCRP expressions. The CM from SKBR3-PR cells obviously promoted M2 polarization of THP-1 macrophages, which was significantly inhibited by CM from si-NEAT1-transfected cells. Treatment with LDH@si-NEAT1 effectively inhibited migration and invasion, promoted apoptosis, and reduced MRP, BCRP and PD-L1 expressions in the tumor cells. The CM from LDH@si-NEAT1-treated SKBR3-PR cells significantly downregulated Arg-1, CD163, IL-10, and PD-L1 and upregulated miR-133b expression in THP-1 macrophages. CONCLUSIONS LDH@si-NEAT1 reduces paclitaxel resistance of breast cancer cells and inhibits TAM polarization by targeting the miR-133b/PD-L1 axis.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Tumor-Associated Macrophages ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Macrophages ; Cell Movement

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Qingshen Granules (QSG) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) damp-heat syndrome. METHODS: The regulatory targets of QSG were retrieved and mapped using TCMSP and UniProt. Small RNA sequencing technology was used to screen the target genes of chronic renal failure damp-heat syndrome to construct the "active ingredients-intersection targets-diseases" network, followed by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and molecular docking of the core targets. Sixty patients with CKD (stage 3-5) presenting with damp-heat syndrome and not undergoing dialysis were randomized equally into two groups for conventional Western medicine treatment (control group) and additional treatment with QSG (observation group) for 8 weeks, with 20 healthy individuals as the normal control group. The expression levels of miR-23b-5p, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), renal function indicators (Scr and eGFR), and serum ROS, AOPP and PON-1 levels were compared among the 3 groups after the treatments. RESULTS: Six main active ingredients of QSG were identified, and their key targets included ACTB, JUN, PTEN, ESR1, GSK3B, PPARG, PIK3CA, APP, PIK3R1, and BECN1. MiR-23b-5p expression was significantly up-regulated in CKD damp-heat syndrome, in which the Nrf2 pathway abnormality played an important pathogenic role. Molecular docking results suggested good binding activity of the core targets with the active ingredients of QSG, and NFE2L2 had the strongest binding with luteolin. In patients with CKD damp-heat syndrome, QSG treatment significantly decreased serum Scr, ROS and AOPP levels, obviously improved eGFR, and increased serum PON-1 levels, expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in PBMCs, and the expression level of miR-23b-5p. CONCLUSIONS QSG can improve the renal function in patients with CKD damp-heat syndrome possibly by up-regulating miR-23b expression, activating the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, and reducing oxidative stress levels.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Female

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the regulatory effects of lncRNA LINC00261 on proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. METHODS: The differentially expressed RNAs in ESCC were identified using the GSE149612 dataset from the GEO database. PCR was used to detect LINC00261 expression levels in clinical ESCC and normal esophageal tissue samples and in multiple ESCC cell lines and normal esophageal epithelial cells (HEEC). In ESCC cells, the effects of overexpression of LINC00261 on cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis were analyzed using CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry. The potential targets of LINC00261 were predicted using bioinformatics tools including ENCORI and verified using dual-luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting. The effects of LINC00261 overexpression on ESCC were confirmed in a nude mouse model bearing ESCC xenograft. RESULTS: Analysis of the GSE149612 dataset revealed significantly lower LINC00261 expression in ESCC tissues and cell lines. In cultured ESCC cells, LINC00261 overexpression markedly suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis and promoted cell apoptosis. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that LINC00261 targets the miR-23a-3p/ZNF292 axis. In the tumor-bearing mouse model, LINC00261 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCC xenograft proliferation and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS LINC00261 suppresses ESCC progression by targeting the miR-23a-3p/ZNF292 axis, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ESCC treatment.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Animals ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; Mice, Nude ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics* ; Apoptosis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Neoplasm Metastasis

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) against cisplatin-induced ovarian granulosa cell injury and investigate its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) were treated with 2.5 µg/mL cisplatin for 24 h, followed by treatment with 100, 500, and 1000 mg/L LBP, and the changes in cell viability, apoptosis, level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and cell ultrastructure were detected with CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, ELISA and transmission electron microscopy. The cellular expressions of Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2, and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were analyzed using Western blotting, and the expression of miR-23a was detected with RT-qPCR. KGN cell models with lentivirus-mediated miR-23a overexpression or knockdown were used to verify the therapeutic mechanism of LBP. RESULTS: Cisplatin treatment significantly inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis, decreased AMH level, caused ultrastructural abnormalities, increased Bax and caspase-3 expression, and lowered Bcl-2 expression in KGN cells. Cisplatin also suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and upregulated miR-23a expression in the cells. LBP intervention obviously alleviated cisplatin-induced injuries in KGN cells, and in particular, LBP treatment at the medium dose for 24 h significantly improved KGN cell viability, reduced apoptosis, enhanced their endocrine function, and ameliorated ultrastructural abnormalities. Mechanistically, medium-dose LBP obviously activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by downregulating miR-23a in cisplatin-treated cells, subsequently inhibiting Bax and caspase-3 while upregulating Bcl-2. Overexpression of miR-23a weakened while knockdown of miR-23a significantly enhanced the protective effects of LBP. CONCLUSIONS LBP alleviates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in KGN cells by inhibiting miR-23a expression and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian function preservation.
Humans ; Cisplatin/adverse effects* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Female ; Granulosa Cells/cytology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Down-Regulation ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival/drug effects*

Acute mitochondrial damage and the energy crisis following axonal injury highlight mitochondrial transport as an important target for axonal regeneration. Syntaphilin (Snph), known for its potent mitochondrial anchoring action, has emerged as a significant inhibitor of both mitochondrial transport and axonal regeneration. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms that influence the expression levels of the snph gene can provide a viable strategy to regulate mitochondrial trafficking and enhance axonal regeneration. Here, we reveal the inhibitory effect of microRNA-146b (miR-146b) on the expression of the homologous zebrafish gene syntaphilin b (snphb). Through CRISPR/Cas9 and single-cell electroporation, we elucidated the positive regulatory effect of the miR-146b-snphb axis on Mauthner cell (M-cell) axon regeneration at the global and single-cell levels. Through escape response tests, we show that miR-146b-snphb signaling positively regulates functional recovery after M-cell axon injury. In addition, continuous dynamic imaging in vivo showed that reprogramming miR-146b significantly promotes axonal mitochondrial trafficking in the pre-injury and early stages of regeneration. Our study reveals an intrinsic axonal regeneration regulatory axis that promotes axonal regeneration by reprogramming mitochondrial transport and anchoring. This regulation involves noncoding RNA, and mitochondria-associated genes may provide a potential opportunity for the repair of central nervous system injury.
Animals ; Zebrafish ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Nerve Regeneration/physiology* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Zebrafish Proteins/genetics* ; Axons/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Axonal Transport/physiology* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder with complex etiologies, manifests through a cascade of pathological changes before clinical symptoms become apparent. Among these early changes, alterations in the expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal events. In this study, we focused on the aberrant expression of ncRNAs and revealed that Lamr1-ps1, a pseudogene of the laminin receptor, significantly exacerbates early spatial learning and memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. Through a combination of bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation, we identified the miR-29c/Bace1 pathway as a potential regulatory mechanism by which Lamr1-ps1 influences AD pathology. Importantly, augmenting the miR-29c-3p levels in mice ameliorated memory deficits, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeting miR-29c-3p in early AD intervention. This study not only provides new insights into the role of pseudogenes in AD but also consolidates a foundational basis for considering miR-29c as a viable therapeutic target, offering a novel avenue for AD research and treatment strategies.
Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/pathology* ; Pseudogenes/genetics* ; Mice ; Memory Disorders/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Spatial Learning/physiology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Presenilin-1/genetics* ; Male ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/metabolism*

Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage poses a high risk of death or lifelong disability, yet effective treatments remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that miR-100-5p levels in the lesioned cortex increased after HI insult in neonatal mice. Knockdown of miR-100-5p expression in the brain attenuated brain injury and promoted functional recovery, through inhibiting the cleaved-caspase-3 level, microglia activation, and the release of proinflammation cytokines following HI injury. Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing neuron-targeting rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) and miR-100-5p antagonists (RVG-EVs-Antagomir) selectively targeted brain lesions and reduced miR-100-5p levels after intranasal delivery. Both pre- and post-HI administration showed therapeutic benefits. Mechanistically, we identified protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha (Ppp3ca) as a novel candidate target gene of miR-100-5p, inhibiting c-Fos expression and neuronal apoptosis following HI insult. In conclusion, our non-invasive method using engineered EVs to deliver miR-100-5p antagomirs to the brain significantly improves functional recovery after HI injury by targeting Ppp3ca to suppress neuronal apoptosis.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Mice ; Recovery of Function/physiology* ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Antagomirs/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Glycoproteins ; Peptide Fragments ; Viral Proteins

The ambiguity of etiology makes temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) "difficult-to-treat". Emerging evidence underscores the therapeutic promise of exosomes in osteoarthritis management. Nonetheless, challenges such as low yields and insignificant efficacy of current exosome therapies necessitate significant advances. Addressing lower strontium (Sr) levels in arthritic synovial microenvironment, we studied the effect of Sr element on exosomes and miRNA selectively loading in synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs). Here, we developed an optimized system that boosts the yield of SMSC-derived exosomes (SMSC-EXOs) and improves their miRNA profiles with an elevated proportion of beneficial miRNAs, while reducing harmful ones by pretreating SMSCs with Sr. Compared to untreated SMSC-EXOs, Sr-pretreated SMSC-derived exosomes (Sr-SMSC-EXOs) demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy by mitigating chondrocyte ferroptosis and reducing osteoclast-mediated joint pain in TMJOA. Our results illustrate Alix's crucial role in Sr-triggered miRNA loading, identifying miR-143-3p as a key anti-TMJOA exosomal component. Interestingly, this system is specifically oriented towards synovium-derived stem cells. The insight into trace element-driven, site-specific miRNA selectively loading in SMSC-EXOs proposes a promising therapeutic enhancement strategy for TMJOA.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Strontium/pharmacology* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/therapy* ; Temporomandibular Joint