Objective Huangqi Decoction(HQD),a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula,has been used as a valid treatment for alleviating liver fibrosis;however,the underlying molecular mechanism is still unknown.Although ...Objective Huangqi Decoction(HQD),a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula,has been used as a valid treatment for alleviating liver fibrosis;however,the underlying molecular mechanism is still unknown.Although our previous studies showed that microRNA-663a(miR-663a)suppresses the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and the transforming growth factor-β/small mothers against decapentaplegic(TGF-β/Smad)pathway,whether long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)are involved in HSC activation via the miR-663a/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway has not yet reported.The present study aimed to investigate the roles of lncRNA lnc-C18orf26-1 in the activation of HSCs and the mechanism by which HQD inhibits hepatic fibrosis.Methods The expression levels of lnc-C18orf26-1,miR-663a and related genes were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.HSCs were transfected with the miR-663a mimic or inhibitor and lnc-C18orf26-1 small interfering RNAs.The water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay was used to assess the proliferation rate of HSCs.Changes in lncRNA expression were evaluated in miR-663a-overexpressing HSCs by using microarray to identify miR-663a-regulated lncRNAs.RNA hybrid was used to predict the potential miR-663a binding sites on lncRNAs.Luciferase reporter assays further confirmed the interaction between miR-663a and the lncRNA.The expression levels of collagen α-2(I)chain(COL1A2),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins were determined using Western blotting.Results Lnc-C18orf26-1 was upregulated in TGF-β1-activated HSCs and competitively bound to miR-663a.Knockdown of lnc-C18orf26-1 inhibited HSC proliferation and activation,downregulated TGF-β1-stimulatedα-SMA and COL1A2 expression,and inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.HQD suppressed the proliferation and activation of HSCs.HQD increased miR-663a expression and decreased lnc-C18orf26-1 expression in HSCs.Further studies showed that HQD inhibited the expression of COL1A2,α-SMA,TGF-β1,TGF-βtype I receptor(TGF-βRI)and phosphorylated Smad2(p-Smad2)in HSCs,and these effects were reversed by miR-663a inhibitor treatment.Conclusion Our study identified lnc-C18orf26-1 and miR-663a as promising therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis.HQD inhibits HSC proliferation and activation at least partially by regulating the lnc-C18orf26-1/miR-663a/TGF-β1/TGF-βRI/p-Smad2 axis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has been a pervasive malignancy throughout the world with elevated mortality.Efficient therapeutic targets are beneficial to treat and predict the disease.Currently,the exact mo...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has been a pervasive malignancy throughout the world with elevated mortality.Efficient therapeutic targets are beneficial to treat and predict the disease.Currently,the exact molecular mechanisms leading to the progression of HCC are still unclear.Research has shown that the microRNA-142-3p level decreases in HCC,whereas bioinformatics analysis of the cancer genome atlas database shows the ASH1L expression increased among liver tumor tissues.In this paper,we will explore the effects and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L affect the prognosis of HCC patients and HCC cell bioactivity,and the association between them.AIM To investigate the effects and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L on the HCC cell bioactivity and prognosis of HCC patients.METHODS In this study,we grouped HCC patients according to their immunohistochemistry results of ASH1L with pathological tissues,and retrospectively analyzed the prognosis of HCC patients.Furthermore,explored the roles and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L by cellular and animal experiments,which involved the following experimental methods:Immunohistochemical staining,western blot,quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction,flow cytometric analysis,tumor xenografts in nude mice,etc.The statistical methods involved in this study contained t-test,one-way analysis of variance,theχ^(2)test,the Kaplan-Meier approach and the log-rank test.RESULTS In this study,we found that HCC patients with high expression of ASH1L possess a more recurrence rate as well as a decreased overall survival rate.ASH1L promotes the tumorigenicity of HCC and microRNA-142-3p exhibits reduced expression in HCC tissues and interacts with ASH1L through targeting the ASH1L 3′untranslated region.Furthermore,microRNA-142-3p promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation,invasion,and migration of HCC cell lines in vitro via ASH1L.For the exploration mechanism,we found ASH1L may promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment in HCC and ASH1L affects the expression of the cell junction protein zonula occludens-1,which is potentially relevant to the immune system.CONCLUSION Loss function of microRNA-142-3p induces cancer progression and immune evasion through upregulation of ASH1L in HCC.Both microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L can feature as new biomarker for HCC in the future.展开更多
BACKGROUND Shifting from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase represents a pivotal step during managing diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs);however,existing medical interventions remain insufficient.MicroRNAs(miRs)highl...BACKGROUND Shifting from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase represents a pivotal step during managing diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs);however,existing medical interventions remain insufficient.MicroRNAs(miRs)highlight notable capacity for accelerating the repair process of DFUs.Previous research has demonstrated which miR-122-5p regulates matrix metalloproteinases under diabetic conditions,thereby influencing extracellular matrix dynamics.AIM To investigate the impact of miR-122-5p on the transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative stage in DFU.METHODS Analysis for miR-122-5p expression in skin tissues from diabetic ulcer patients and mice was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).A diabetic wound healing model induced by streptozotocin was used,with mice receiving intradermal injections of adeno-associated virus-DJ encoding empty vector or miR-122.Skin tissues were retrieved at 3,7,and 14 days after injury for gene expression analysis,histology,immunohistochemistry,and network studies.The study explored miR-122-5p’s role in macrophage-fibroblast interactions and its effect on transitioning from inflammation to proliferation in DFU healing.RESULTS High-throughput sequencing revealed miR-122-5p as crucial for DFU healing.qRT-PCR showed significant upregulation of miR-122-5p within diabetic skin among DFU individuals and mice.Western blot,along with immunohistochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,demonstrating the upregulation of inflammatory mediators(hypoxia inducible factor-1α,matrix metalloproteinase 9,tumor necrosis factor-α)and reduced fibrosis markers(fibronectin 1,α-smooth muscle actin)by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor.Fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated its expression localized to epidermal keratinocytes and fibroblasts in diabetic mice.Immunofluorescence revealed enhanced increased presence of M1 macrophages and reduced M2 polarization,highlighting its role in inflammation.MiR-122-5p elevated inflammatory cytokine levels while suppressing fibrotic activity from fibroblasts exposed to macrophage-derived media,highlighting its pivotal role in regulating DFU healing.CONCLUSION MiR-122-5p impedes cutaneous healing of diabetic mice via enhancing inflammation and inhibiting fibrosis,offering insights into miR roles in human skin wound repair.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a malignant tumor originating from gastric mucosal epithelial cells that has high morbidity and mortality.microRNAs(miR)are important diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in this ...BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a malignant tumor originating from gastric mucosal epithelial cells that has high morbidity and mortality.microRNAs(miR)are important diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in this disease.AIM To explore the mechanism of miR-125a-5p in the pathogenesis of GC.METHODS The expression levels of miR-125a-5p,SERPINE1 and DNMT1 in GC cells and tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and Western blotting.Methylation-specific PCR was used to detect the level of miR-125a-5p methylation.A cell counting kit 8 assay,scratch test,and a Transwell assay were performed to detect the proliferation,migration,and invasiveness of HGC27 cells,respectively.The expression of the epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related proteins E-cadherin,N-cadherin and vimentin in HGC27 cells was detected by Western blotting,while the expression of vimentin was detected by immunofluorescence.RESULTS This study revealed that miR-125a-5p was expressed at low levels in GC clinical samples and cells and that miR-125a-5p overexpression inhibited the proliferation,migration,invasiveness and EMT of GC cells.Mechanistically,miR-125a-5p can reduce GC cell proliferation,promote E-cadherin expression,inhibit N-cadherin and vimentin expression,and reduce the EMT of GC cells,thus constraining GC cells to a certain extent.Moreover,DNMT1 inhibited miR-125a-5p expression by increasing the methylation of the miR-125a-5p promoter,thereby promoting the expression of SERPINE1,which acts together with miR-125a-5p to exert antagonistic effects on GC.CONCLUSION Our study revealed that DNMT1 promoted SERPINE1 protein expression by inducing miR-125a-5p methylation,which led to the proliferation,migration and occurrence of EMT in GC cells.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.82074101 and No.81773979)Shanghai Municipal Health Commission (No.202040486)
文摘Objective Huangqi Decoction(HQD),a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula,has been used as a valid treatment for alleviating liver fibrosis;however,the underlying molecular mechanism is still unknown.Although our previous studies showed that microRNA-663a(miR-663a)suppresses the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and the transforming growth factor-β/small mothers against decapentaplegic(TGF-β/Smad)pathway,whether long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)are involved in HSC activation via the miR-663a/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway has not yet reported.The present study aimed to investigate the roles of lncRNA lnc-C18orf26-1 in the activation of HSCs and the mechanism by which HQD inhibits hepatic fibrosis.Methods The expression levels of lnc-C18orf26-1,miR-663a and related genes were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.HSCs were transfected with the miR-663a mimic or inhibitor and lnc-C18orf26-1 small interfering RNAs.The water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay was used to assess the proliferation rate of HSCs.Changes in lncRNA expression were evaluated in miR-663a-overexpressing HSCs by using microarray to identify miR-663a-regulated lncRNAs.RNA hybrid was used to predict the potential miR-663a binding sites on lncRNAs.Luciferase reporter assays further confirmed the interaction between miR-663a and the lncRNA.The expression levels of collagen α-2(I)chain(COL1A2),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins were determined using Western blotting.Results Lnc-C18orf26-1 was upregulated in TGF-β1-activated HSCs and competitively bound to miR-663a.Knockdown of lnc-C18orf26-1 inhibited HSC proliferation and activation,downregulated TGF-β1-stimulatedα-SMA and COL1A2 expression,and inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.HQD suppressed the proliferation and activation of HSCs.HQD increased miR-663a expression and decreased lnc-C18orf26-1 expression in HSCs.Further studies showed that HQD inhibited the expression of COL1A2,α-SMA,TGF-β1,TGF-βtype I receptor(TGF-βRI)and phosphorylated Smad2(p-Smad2)in HSCs,and these effects were reversed by miR-663a inhibitor treatment.Conclusion Our study identified lnc-C18orf26-1 and miR-663a as promising therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis.HQD inhibits HSC proliferation and activation at least partially by regulating the lnc-C18orf26-1/miR-663a/TGF-β1/TGF-βRI/p-Smad2 axis.
基金Supported by the Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem Innovation Fund,No.22HHXBJC00001the Key Discipline Special Project of Tianjin Municipal Health Commission,No.TJWJ2022XK016.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has been a pervasive malignancy throughout the world with elevated mortality.Efficient therapeutic targets are beneficial to treat and predict the disease.Currently,the exact molecular mechanisms leading to the progression of HCC are still unclear.Research has shown that the microRNA-142-3p level decreases in HCC,whereas bioinformatics analysis of the cancer genome atlas database shows the ASH1L expression increased among liver tumor tissues.In this paper,we will explore the effects and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L affect the prognosis of HCC patients and HCC cell bioactivity,and the association between them.AIM To investigate the effects and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L on the HCC cell bioactivity and prognosis of HCC patients.METHODS In this study,we grouped HCC patients according to their immunohistochemistry results of ASH1L with pathological tissues,and retrospectively analyzed the prognosis of HCC patients.Furthermore,explored the roles and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L by cellular and animal experiments,which involved the following experimental methods:Immunohistochemical staining,western blot,quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction,flow cytometric analysis,tumor xenografts in nude mice,etc.The statistical methods involved in this study contained t-test,one-way analysis of variance,theχ^(2)test,the Kaplan-Meier approach and the log-rank test.RESULTS In this study,we found that HCC patients with high expression of ASH1L possess a more recurrence rate as well as a decreased overall survival rate.ASH1L promotes the tumorigenicity of HCC and microRNA-142-3p exhibits reduced expression in HCC tissues and interacts with ASH1L through targeting the ASH1L 3′untranslated region.Furthermore,microRNA-142-3p promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation,invasion,and migration of HCC cell lines in vitro via ASH1L.For the exploration mechanism,we found ASH1L may promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment in HCC and ASH1L affects the expression of the cell junction protein zonula occludens-1,which is potentially relevant to the immune system.CONCLUSION Loss function of microRNA-142-3p induces cancer progression and immune evasion through upregulation of ASH1L in HCC.Both microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L can feature as new biomarker for HCC in the future.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82274528.
文摘BACKGROUND Shifting from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase represents a pivotal step during managing diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs);however,existing medical interventions remain insufficient.MicroRNAs(miRs)highlight notable capacity for accelerating the repair process of DFUs.Previous research has demonstrated which miR-122-5p regulates matrix metalloproteinases under diabetic conditions,thereby influencing extracellular matrix dynamics.AIM To investigate the impact of miR-122-5p on the transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative stage in DFU.METHODS Analysis for miR-122-5p expression in skin tissues from diabetic ulcer patients and mice was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).A diabetic wound healing model induced by streptozotocin was used,with mice receiving intradermal injections of adeno-associated virus-DJ encoding empty vector or miR-122.Skin tissues were retrieved at 3,7,and 14 days after injury for gene expression analysis,histology,immunohistochemistry,and network studies.The study explored miR-122-5p’s role in macrophage-fibroblast interactions and its effect on transitioning from inflammation to proliferation in DFU healing.RESULTS High-throughput sequencing revealed miR-122-5p as crucial for DFU healing.qRT-PCR showed significant upregulation of miR-122-5p within diabetic skin among DFU individuals and mice.Western blot,along with immunohistochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,demonstrating the upregulation of inflammatory mediators(hypoxia inducible factor-1α,matrix metalloproteinase 9,tumor necrosis factor-α)and reduced fibrosis markers(fibronectin 1,α-smooth muscle actin)by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor.Fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated its expression localized to epidermal keratinocytes and fibroblasts in diabetic mice.Immunofluorescence revealed enhanced increased presence of M1 macrophages and reduced M2 polarization,highlighting its role in inflammation.MiR-122-5p elevated inflammatory cytokine levels while suppressing fibrotic activity from fibroblasts exposed to macrophage-derived media,highlighting its pivotal role in regulating DFU healing.CONCLUSION MiR-122-5p impedes cutaneous healing of diabetic mice via enhancing inflammation and inhibiting fibrosis,offering insights into miR roles in human skin wound repair.
基金the Research Program of the Science and Technology Department of Yunnan Province,No.202101AY070001-204.
文摘BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a malignant tumor originating from gastric mucosal epithelial cells that has high morbidity and mortality.microRNAs(miR)are important diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in this disease.AIM To explore the mechanism of miR-125a-5p in the pathogenesis of GC.METHODS The expression levels of miR-125a-5p,SERPINE1 and DNMT1 in GC cells and tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and Western blotting.Methylation-specific PCR was used to detect the level of miR-125a-5p methylation.A cell counting kit 8 assay,scratch test,and a Transwell assay were performed to detect the proliferation,migration,and invasiveness of HGC27 cells,respectively.The expression of the epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related proteins E-cadherin,N-cadherin and vimentin in HGC27 cells was detected by Western blotting,while the expression of vimentin was detected by immunofluorescence.RESULTS This study revealed that miR-125a-5p was expressed at low levels in GC clinical samples and cells and that miR-125a-5p overexpression inhibited the proliferation,migration,invasiveness and EMT of GC cells.Mechanistically,miR-125a-5p can reduce GC cell proliferation,promote E-cadherin expression,inhibit N-cadherin and vimentin expression,and reduce the EMT of GC cells,thus constraining GC cells to a certain extent.Moreover,DNMT1 inhibited miR-125a-5p expression by increasing the methylation of the miR-125a-5p promoter,thereby promoting the expression of SERPINE1,which acts together with miR-125a-5p to exert antagonistic effects on GC.CONCLUSION Our study revealed that DNMT1 promoted SERPINE1 protein expression by inducing miR-125a-5p methylation,which led to the proliferation,migration and occurrence of EMT in GC cells.
