Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Parasite-derived non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) not only contribute to life activities of parasites, and microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) may generate a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network with host miRNAs and mRNAs via extracellular vesicles, thereby participating in infection and pathogenic processes. This article presents an overview of characterizing ncRNAs derived from parasites and the cross-species regulatory role of parasite-derived ncRNAs in host gene expression and its underlying mechanisms.
Animals ; Parasites ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; RNA, Circular/genetics* ; RNA, Competitive Endogenous

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether miRNA-128-3p regulates malignant biological behavior of glioma cells by targeting KLHDC8A. METHODS: Dual-luciferase reporter assays, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the targeting of miRNA-128-3p to KLHDC8A. Edu assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay and would healing assay were used to determine the effects of changes in miRNA-128-3p and KLHDC8A expression levels on malignant behavior of glioma cells. Rescue experiment was carried out to verify that miRNA-128-3p regulated glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration by targeting KLHDC8A. RESULTS: The expression level of KLHDC8A was significantly increased in high-grade glioma tissue and was closely related to a poor survival outcome of the patients. Overexpression of KLHDC8A promoted glioma cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and miRNA-128-3p overexpression inhibited proliferative and metastatic capacities of glioma cells. Mechanistically, KLHDC8A expression was directly modulated by miRNA-128-3p, which, by targeting KLHDC8A, inhibited malignant behavior of glioma cells. CONCLUSION Upregulation of miRNA-128-3p inhibits uncontrolled growth of glioma cells by negatively regulating KLHDC8A expression and its downstream effectors, suggesting that the miRNA-128-3p-KLHDC8A axis may serve as a potential prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for developing new strategies for glioma treatment.
Humans ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioma/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation

Objective: To investigate the potential function and related mechanism of microRNA-223 (miRNA-223) in the podocyte pyroptosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated glomerulonephritis induced by HBV X protein (HBx). Methods: HBx-overexpressing lentivirus was transfected into human renal podocytes to mimic the pathogenesis of HBV-GN. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting experiments were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of pyroptosis-related proteins [nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and caspase-1], and inflammatory factors (interleukin-1β and interleukin-18), respectively.TUNEL staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the number of pyroptosis cells. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of podocytes biomarkers desmin and nephrin; Hoechst 33342 staining was used to observe the morphological and quantitative changes of podocyte nuclei. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure caspase-1 activity. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the downstream target of miRNA-223. Podocytes were divided into the following nine groups: control group (no special treatment), empty plasmid group (transfected with empty plasmid), HBx overexpression group (transfected with HBx overexpression lentivirus), HBx overexpression+miRNA-223 mimic group (transfected with HBx overexpression lentivirus and miRNA-223 mimic), HBx overexpression+miRNA-223 inhibitor group (transfected with HBx overexpression lentivirus and miRNA-223 inhibitor), HBx overexpression+miRNA-223 mimic+NLRP3 group (transfected with HBx overexpression lentivirus, miRNA-223 mimic and NLRP3 overexpression plasmid), HBx overexpression+miRNA-223 mimic+ NLRP3 siRNA group (transfected with HBx overexpression lentivirus, miRNA-223 mimic and NLRP3 siRNA), HBx overexpression+miRNA-223 inhibitor+NLRP3 group (transfected with HBx overexpression lentivirus, miRNA-223 inhibitor and NLRP3 overexpression plasmid), HBx overexpression+miRNA-223 inhibitor+NLRP3 siRNA group (transfected with HBx overexpression lentivirus, miRNA-223 inhibitor and NLRP3 siRNA). Results: miRNA-223 was down-regulated in HBx overexpression group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). TUNEL and immunofluorescence staining showed that NLRP3 knockdown attenuated podocyte injury and pyroptosis induced by HBx overexpression (P < 0.05). Dual luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that NLRP3 was one of the downstream targets of miRNA-223. Rescue experiments revealed that NLRP3 overexpression weakened the protective effect of miRNA-223 in podocyte injury (P < 0.05). The addition of miRNA-223 mimic and NLRP3 siRNA decreased the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and cytokines, and reduced the number of pyroptosis cells induced by HBx overexpression (all P < 0.05); The addition of miRNA-223 inhibitor and NLRP3 overexpression plasmid significantly increased the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and cytokines, caspase-1 activity, and the number of pyroptosis cells (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: HBx may promote podocyte pyroptosis of HBV-GN via downregulating miRNA-223 targeting NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting that miRNA-223 is expected to be a potential target for the treatment of HBV-GN.
Humans ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Glomerulonephritis/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering

Objective: To explore the pathogenic mechanism of the miR-340/high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) axis in the formation of liver fibrosis. Methods: A rat liver fibrosis model was established by injecting CCl(4) intraperitoneally. miRNAs targeting and validating HMGB1 were selected with gene microarrays after screening the differentially expressed miRNAs in rats with normal and hepatic fibrosis. The effect of miRNA expressional changes on HMGB1 levels was detected by qPCR. Dual luciferase gene reporter assays (LUC) was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-340 and HMGB1. The proliferative activity of the hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after co-transfection of miRNA mimics and HMGB1 overexpression vector, and the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) was detected by western blot. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and the LSD-t test. Results: Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining results showed that the rat model of liver fibrosis was successfully established. Gene microarray analysis and bioinformatics prediction had detected eight miRNAs possibly targeting HMGB1, and animal model validation had detected miR-340. qPCR detection results showed that miR-340 had inhibited the expression of HMGB1, and a luciferase complementation assay suggested that miR-340 had targeted HMGB1. Functional experiments results showed that HMGB1 overexpression had enhanced cell proliferation activity and the expression of type I collagen and α-SMA, while miR-340 mimics had not only inhibited cell proliferation activity and the expression of HMGB1, type I collagen, and α-SMA, but also partially reversed the promoting effect of HMGB1 on cell proliferation and ECM synthesis. Conclusion: miR-340 targets HMGB1 to inhibit the proliferation and ECM deposition in hepatic stellate cells and plays a protective role during the process of liver fibrosis.
Animals ; Rats ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; HMGB1 Protein/genetics* ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of miR-144-3p on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of blast phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) K562 cells. METHODS: K562 cells were cultured in vitro and mimics negative control, hsa-miR-144-3p mimics, inhibitor negative control and miR-144-3p inhibitor were respectively transfected into K562 cells with transfection reagents. The cells were divided into five groups including blank control, mimics negative control, miR-144-3p mimics, inhibitor negative control and miR-144-3p inhibitor. After transfection, the cell proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control and mimics negative control groups, the proliferation rate of miR-144-3p mimics group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the proportion of S phase cells was markedly increased (P<0.05), while the proportion of G₁ phase cells was obviously decreased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control and inhibitor negative control groups, the proliferation rate of miR-144-3p inhibitor group was obviously increased (P<0.05), the proportion of S phase cells was markedly decreased (P<0.05), while the proportion of G₁ phase cells was obviously increased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION miR-144-3p can inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of K562 cells, affect the cell cycle, and block K562 cells in S phase, which indicates that miR-144-3p is involved in the cell cycle activity of CML during blastic phase.
Humans ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Cell Cycle/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; K562 Cells ; MicroRNAs/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of microRNA-424-5p (miR-424-5p) on the drug resistance of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells by regulating the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) signaling pathway. METHODS: Human DLBCL cell line CRL2631 cells were induced to construct CRL2631-CHOP resistant cell line. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of MiR-424-5p, PD-L1 mRNA and protein, and multidrug resistance gene-1 (MDR-1) protein in CRL2631 cells and CRL2631-CHOP cells, respectively. The target genes of MiR-424-5p was verified by dual luciferase reporter assay. The miRNA simulation/interference technology and thiazole blue (MTT) method were used to detect the resistance of CRL2631 cells and CRL2631-CHOP cells to CHOP. RESULTS: Compared with CRL2631 cells, the drug resistance of CRL2631-CHOP cells to CHOP and the levels of MDR-1 protein (P<0.05), PD-L1 mRNA and protein in the cells were significantly increased (both P<0.001), while the relative level of MiR-424-5p was significantly reduced (P<0.001). The result of the dual luciferase reporter assay showed that PD-L1 was the direct downstream target gene of MiR-424-5p (P<0.001). After transfection of MiR-424-5p inhibitor, the resistance of CRL2631 cells to CHOP drugs increased, and the expression level of MDR-1 protein (P<0.01), PD-L1 mRNA and protein also increased significantly (both P<0.01). After transfection of MiR-424-5p mimics, the resistance of CRL2631-CHOP cells to CHOP drugs decreased, and the expression level of MDR-1 protein (P<0.001), PD-L1 mRNA and protein also decreased significantly (both P<0.001). Overexpression of PD-L1 could reverse the inhibitory effect of upregulating MiR-424-5p on PD-L1 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Down-regulation of MiR-424-5p enhances the drug resistance of DLBCL cells by regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.
Humans ; B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance ; Luciferases ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression and correlation of microRNA-195 (miR-195), miR-125 and calreticulin in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: From April 2020 to April 2021, 80 DLBCL patients with complete data archived by the Pathology Department of Handan First Hospital and The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University were selected as the study group, and 70 patients with reactive lymph node hyperplasia were selected as the control group. The expressions of miR-195 and miR-125 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the expression of calreticulin was detected by Western blot. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between miR-195, miR-125, calreticulin and DLBCL, and ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of miR-195, miR-125 and calreticulin for DLBCL. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression of miR-195 decreased but miR-125 and calreticulin increased in the study group (P<0.001). The expression levels of miR-195, miR-125 and calreticulin were not related to sex, age, primary site and B symptoms of patients with DLBCL, but related to immunophenotype, Ann Arbor stage, lactate dehydrogenase, IPI score, nodule involvement and Ki-67 index. The expression of miR-195 decreased and the expression of miR-125 and calreticulin increased in DLBCL paitents with non-germinal center source, Ann Arbor stage III-IV, lactate dehydrogenase > 245 U/L, IPI score 3-5, nodule involvement≥2 and Ki-67 index≥75% (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that miR-195 and miR-125 were negatively correlated (r=-0.536, P=0.001), miR-195 and calreticulin were negatively correlated (r=-0.545, P=0.001), while miR-125 and calreticulin were positively correlated (r=0.523, P=0.001). ROC curve showed that compared with the single diagnosis of miR-195, miR-125 and calreticulin, the combination of the three items had higher predictive value for DLBCL (P<0.001). CONCLUSION The expression of miR-195 decreases and the expression of miR-125 and calreticulin increase in patients with DLBCL. Along with the increase of disease stage and IPI score, the decrease of miR-195 and the increase of miR-125 and calreticulin aggravate gradually. The three items may participate in the occurrence and progress of DLBCL.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism* ; Calreticulin/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics* ; Lactate Dehydrogenases/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: Cervical squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cancer in female reproductive system. This study aims to explore the effect of microRNA-9-5p (miR-9-5p) on the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of cervical squamous cells. METHODS: Bioinformatics were used to predict the miRNAs that could bind to E-cadherin (E-cad). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to analyze and extract significantly differentially expressed miRNAs from part of cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues and normal cervical tissues, and miR-9-5p was selected as the main research target. The translated regions (UTR) of wild-type E-cad (E-cad-WT 3'-UTR) or the 3'-UTR of mutant E-cad (E-Cad-MUT 3'-UTR) was transfected with miR-9-5p mimic normal control (NC), and miR-9-5p mimic was co-transfected human embryonic kidney cells (293T). The relationship between miR-9-5p and E-cad was detected by double luciferase assay. The expression of miR-9-5p in normal cervical epithelial cell lines (H8) and cervical squamous cell lines (C33A, siha, caski and Me180) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Then, the experiments were divided into groups as follows: a block control group, an overexpression control group (mimic-NC group), a miR-95p overexpression group (mimic group), an inhibitory expression control group (inhibitor-NC group), and a miR-9-5p inhibitory expression group (inhibitor group). The changes of migration ability were detected by scratch assay. Transwell invasion assay was used to analyze the changes of invasion ability, and the mRNA and protein changes of E-cad and vimentin were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: MiR-9-5p had a targeting binding relationship with E-cad. Compared with the normal cervical tissue H8 cell line, the miR-9-5p was highly expressed in cervical cancer cell lines (C33A, siha, caski and Me180) (all P<0.05). The luciferase activity of E-cad-MUT was increased compared with that of E-cad-WT in miR-9-5p mimic cells (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad were decreased in the miR-9-5p mimic group (both P<0.05), which were increased in the miR-9-5p inhibitor group (both P<0.05). Compared with H8 cell line, the miR-9-5p was highly expressed in the cervical squamous cell lines (all P<0.05). Compared with the mimic-NC group, the distance of wound healing, the number of caski and Me180 cells invaded below the membrane, and the mRNA and protein expressions of vimentin were all increased in the miR-9-5p mimic group (all P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein of E-cad were decreased (both P<0.05). Compared with the inhibitor-NC group, the distance of wound healing, the number of caski and Me180 cells invading the membrane, and the mRNA and protein expressions of vimentin were decreased in the miR-9-5p inhibitor group (all P<0.05), but the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cad were increased (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The miR-9-5p is highly expressed in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, which can increase the migration and invasion ability, and promote the EMT process of cancer cells.
Humans ; Female ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Vimentin/metabolism* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; RNA, Messenger ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

OBJECTIVES: Hyperhomocysteinaemia (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. MicroRNA (miR)-18a-5p is closely related to cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to investigate the effects of miR-18a-5p on homocysteine (Hcy)-induced myocardial cells injury. METHODS: H9c2 cells were transfected with miR-18a-5p mimic/miR-18a-5p mimic negative control (NC) or combined with Hcy for intervention, and untreated cells were set as a control group. The transfection efficiency was verified by real-time RT-PCR, and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Western blotting was performed to measure the protein levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-I, LC3-II, Beclin1, p62, Bax, Bcl-2, and Notch2. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the interaction of miR-18a-5p with Notch2. RESULTS: Compared with the control, treatment with Hcy or transfection with miR-18a-5p mimic alone, or combined treatment with Hcy and miR-18a-5p mimic/miR-18a-5p mimic NC significantly reduced the H9c2 cell viability, promoted apoptosis and ROS production, up-regulated the expressions of Bax and Beclin, down-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2, p62, and Notch2, and increased the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I (all P<0.05). Compared with the combined intervention of miR-18a-5p mimic NC and Hcy group, the above indexes were more significantly changed in the combined intervention of miR-18a-5p mimic and Hcy group, and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There is a targeted binding between Notch2 and miR-18a-5p. CONCLUSIONS MiR-18a-5p could induce autophagy and apoptosis via increasing ROS production in cardiomyocytes, and aggravate Hcy-induced myocardial injury. Notch2 is a target of miR-18a-5p.
Apoptosis/genetics* ; Autophagy/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Rats ; Animals ; Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects* ; Homocysteine/adverse effects* ; Hyperhomocysteinemia