NF-kB1 gene expression in Down syndrome patients

Down's syndrome and COVID-19: risk or protection factor against infection? A molecular and genetic approach

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of learning difficulties and intellectual disabilities. DS patients often present with several congenital defects and chronic diseases, including immunity disorders. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) have been seen, which appear to vary with age. At birth, patients present with combined immunodeficiency, with frequent infections that decrease with age. Furthermore, high levels of IL-4 and IL-10 with anti-inflammatory properties and low levels of IL-6 and TNF-α are described in children. The immune system is believed to play an essential role in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, and it has been associated with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an exaggerated cytokine release syndrome (CRS) that may eventually trigger a severe situation called cytokine storm. On the other hand, genetic features seem to be involved in the predisposition to illness and its severity. Overexpression of DSCR1 and ZAKI-4 inhibits the translocation of activated T lymphocyte nuclear factor (NF-AT) to the nucleus, a main step in the inflammatory responsiveness. We discuss here the possible role of immunology and genetic features of DS in the infection and prognosis in COVID-19.

Therapeutic effect of Resveratrol in the treatment of osteoarthritis via the MALAT1/miR-9/NF-κB signaling pathway

The aim of the current study was to explore the role of Resveratrol (Res) in osteoarthritis (OA) and its underlying mechanism. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to determine the relative expression levels of metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), microRNA-9 (miR-9), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NF-κB1), interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP-13) and caspase-3 in vitro and in the in vivo model of OA, as well as examining the effect of Res on MALAT1, miR-9 and NF-κB1, IL-6, MMP-13 and caspase-3 expression levels. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to examine NF-κB1 and MMP-13 protein levels in the in vivo model of OA. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to confirm the regulatory relationship between miR-9 and MALAT1 and NF-κB1, as well as examining the effect of Res on the transcriptional activation of MALAT1 promoter. Furthermore, the effect of Res on cell proliferation in vitro was examined by MTT assay. The relative mRNA expression levels of MALAT1 and NF-κB1 were significantly increased, while miR-9 expression was significantly decreased in the OA group compared with the sham group. Treatment with Res partially reversed the effects of OA on MALAT1, NF-κB1 and miR-9 expression. Similarly, the relative protein expression levels of NF-κB1, IL-6, MMP-13 and caspase-3 were significantly increased in the OA group compared with the sham group; however, treatment with Res partially reversed the effects of OA on the protein expression levels of NF-κB1, IL-6, MMP-13 and caspase-3. MALAT1 and NF-κB1 were identified as potential target genes of miR-9, and dual-luciferase assays were used to examine the effect of miR-9 on the luciferase activity of 3'UTR MALAT1 and NF-κB1. Treatment with Res suppressed the transcriptional activation of the MALAT1 promoter, thereby inhibiting MALAT1 expression. Additionally, the relative expression level of miR-9 significantly increased following treatment with Res in a dose-dependent manner, while the relative protein expression levels of NF-κB1, IL-6, MMP-13 and caspase-3 significantly decreased following treatment with Res compared with the control. Furthermore, treatment with Res significantly increased the growth rate of chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control. Taken together, these results suggest that direct targeting of the MALAT1/miR-9/NF-κB1/IL-6, MMP-13/caspase-3 axis may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OA.

Long non-coding RNA GAS5 expression in patients with Down syndrome

Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome (DS), is the most common chromosome abnormality and causes intellectual disability. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5), whose differential expression has recently been reported in patients with Klinefelter syndrome, has been addressed to play a role in the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, vascular endothelial cells apoptosis and atherosclerosis, all being common features in patients with DS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the lncRNA GAS5 expression profile in DS patients and in controls. lncRNA GAS5 levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR assay in 23 patients with DS and 23 age-matched controls. A significant lncRNA GAS5 down-regulation was observed in patients with DS by RT-PCR analysis, The RNA sequencing experiments confirmed the qRT-PCR data. LncRNA GAS5 down-expression may play a role in the development of some typical features of the patients with DS and, particularly, in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

IL‑18 promotes the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts by activating NF‑κB signaling

Chronic periodontitis is the most common periodontal disease and is characterized by progressive degeneration of periodontal tissue. Periodontal‑specific pathogens can induce the expression of various inflammatory cytokines in periodontal ligament cells and their secretion into peripheral blood. These inflammatory cytokines have an important role in the occurrence and development of chronic periodontitis. ELISA was used to detect the expression of interleukin‑18 (IL‑18) protein in the serum and saliva of 30 healthy volunteers and 30 patients with chronic periodontitis. The clinical parameters that were assessed included plaque index, gingival index, periodontal probing depth and attachment loss. The effect of IL‑18 on the viability of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) was examined using a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay. The effects of IL‑18 on mRNA expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1, MMP2, MMP3 and MMP9 in hPDLFs were detected by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively. The effect of IL‑18 on the phosphorylation of nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) p65 protein and the protein expression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3 and MMP9 in hPDLF cells was detected by western blotting. The expression level of IL‑18 in the serum of patients with chronic periodontitis was significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers, and the expression level of IL‑18 in saliva was positively correlated with the periodontal destruction. However, IL‑18 did not have a significant effect on the viability ability of hPDLFs. IL‑18 promoted phosphorylation of NF‑κB p65 protein in hPDLF, and increased the mRNA expression and protein secretion of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3 and MMP9. These findings indicate that IL‑18 promotes the secretion of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 in hPDLFs by activating the NF‑κB signaling pathway, which has a key role in the development of chronic periodontitis. Therefore, targeting IL‑18 may be a new research direction for the treatment of chronic periodontal disease.