LncRNA MALAT1 inhibits apoptosis of endometrial stromal cells through miR-126-5p-CREB1 axis by activating PI3K-AKT pathway

LncRNA MALAT1 Knockdown Alleviates Fibrogenic Response in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells Via the miR-22-3p/TGFβR1/Smad2/3 Pathway

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) resulting from irreversible fibrotic repair of endometrium is the main cause of secondary infertility in women, and current therapeutic approaches to IUA are limited. Increasing evidence has suggested the important role of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in IUA pathologies. This study aimed to investigate the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1)-associated ceRNA in IUA development. We harvested endometrial tissues from patients with or without IUA and extracted endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from normal endometrial tissues. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was used to induce fibrosis in ESCs. The expression of transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFβR1), α-smooth muscle actin, phosphorylated suppressor of mother against decapentaplegic (p-Smad)2/3, collagen type I alpha 1, MALAT1, and microRNA (miR)-22-3p in endometrial tissues and ESCs was measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) or western blotting. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between miR-22-3p expression or TGFβR1 and MALAT1 expression in endometrial tissues. The expression of TGFβR1 in ESCs was also evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. The location of MALAT1 was examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to verify the binding relationship between MALAT1 or TGFβR1 and miR-22-3p. Cell viability was assessed via cell counting kit-8 assays. Our findings revealed that lncRNA MALAT1 and TGFβR1 were upregulated while miR-22-3p was downregulated in IUA endometrial tissues or TGF-β1-stimulated ESCs, and lncRNA MALAT1 expression was negatively correlated with miR-22-3p expression while being positively correlated with TGFβR1 expression in IUA endometrial tissues. Additionally, lncRNA MALAT1 was mainly located in the cytoplasm of ESCs and directly targeted miR-22-3p to regulate TGFβR1 expression. Moreover, knockdown of lncRNA MALAT1 exerted anti-fibrotic effects on ESCs by targeting miR-22-3p, and miR-22-3p overexpression inhibited the fibrosis of ESCs by binding to TGFβR1 3'untranslated region. Collectively, lncRNA MALAT1 promotes endometrial fibrosis by sponging miR-22-3p to regulate TGFβR1 and Smad2/3, and inhibition of MALAT1 may represent a promising therapeutic option for suppressing endometrial fibrosis.

The TCONS_00046732/chi-miR-135b-5p/PRLR regulatory axis promotes endometrial epithelial cells growth through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway

Non-coding RNAs are considered key regulatory factors in biological and reproductive physiological processes in mammals. However, the molecular functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating dynamic uterine development and reproductive capacity during sexual maturation remain unclear. This study analyzed the expression characteristics and molecular functions of lncRNAs in uterine tissues from 20 goats at four specific time points during sexual maturation: day 1 after birth (D1), 2 months (M2), 4 months (M4), and 6 months (M6), finding that stage-specific DE lncRNAs may regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, hormone secretion, metabolism, and immune response through multiple action modes. Within the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network, a novel lncRNA, TCONS_00046732, associated with uterine development, exhibited significantly higher expression during sexual maturity compared to the prepubertal stage, correlating positively with PRLR and negatively with chi-miR-135b-5p. FISH and IF analyses revealed significant co-localization and distinct expression patterns of TCONS_00046732, chi-miR-135b-5p, and PRLR in the endometrial epithelium. Further experiments confirmed that TCONS_00046732 competitively binds to chi-miR-135b-5p to upregulate PRLR, thereby activating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, promoting primary endometrial epithelial cell proliferation, G1-to-S phase transition, and inhibiting apoptosis. These findings enhance our understanding of uterine molecular regulation and provide key insights into the molecular basis of goat sexual development.

Integrated bioinformatic analysis reveals the gene signatures, epigenetic roles, and regulatory networks in endometriosis

OBJECTIVES

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease with a significant economic burden. Growing evidence has suggested the role of aberrant gene expression and epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. This study aims to identify potential key genes, epigenetic features, and regulatory networks in endometriosis using an integrated bioinformatic approach.

METHODS

Six microarray and RNA-sequencing datasets (GSE23339, GSE7305, GSE25628, GSE51981, GSE120103, GSE87809) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of each dataset were analyzed using the GEO2R tool, and their mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA components were identified subsequently. The common DEGs between datasets were combined, and the Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment were analyzed using the ShinyGo. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs, miRNA, and lncRNA was constructed using STRING and Cytoscape, and then the top 15 hub genes in the PPI network were identified using CytoHubba.

RESULTS

A total of 551 common DEGs were identified from four or more studies, including 292 upregulated and 259 downregulated genes. Besides alterations in protein-coding genes (mRNA), 16 miRNA (5 upregulated and 11 downregulated) were identified from all studies, along with 12 lncRNA (10 upregulated and 2 downregulated) that were common in at least three studies. Enriched DEGs were mainly associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction, P53 signaling pathway, and focal adhesion, which are suggested to play vital roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Through PPI network construction of common DEGs, 178 nodes and 683 edges were obtained, from which 15 hub genes were identified, including CDK1, CCNB1, KIF11, CCNA2, BUB1B, DLGAP5, BUB1, TOP2A, ASPM, CEP55, CENPF, TPX2, CCNB2, KIFC, NCAPG.

CONCLUSIONS

Our in-depth bioinformatics analysis reveals the critical molecular basis underlying endometriosis. The role of identified hub genes, miRNA, and lncRNA may also have an opportunity to be explored as potential biomarkers for endometriosis diagnosis and prognosis.

CREB1 Silencing Protects Against Inflammatory Response in Rats with Deep Vein Thrombosis Through Reducing RPL9 Expression and Blocking NF-κB Signaling

Apoptosis and inflammation of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are the most important causes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) encodes a transcription factor that binds as a homodimer to the cAMP-responsive element and can promote inflammation. CREB1 is found to be upregulated in the plasma of patients with venous thromboembolism. However, the biological functions of CREB1 in DVT remain unknown. We evaluated the effect of CREB1 in a rat model of inferior vena cava (IVA) stenosis-induced DVT. IVC stenosis resulted in stable thrombus, inflammatory response and CREB1 upregulation, whereas CREB1 knockdown inhibited thrombus and inflammation in DVT rats. In vitro analysis showed that CREB1 knockdown inhibited VEC apoptosis. Mechanistically, CREB1 knockdown reduced Ribosomal protein L9 (RPL9) expression and blocked the NF-κB pathway. Therefore, CREB1 may become a potential therapeutic target of DVT prevention.

CREB1 Is Involved in miR-134-5p-Mediated Endometrial Stromal Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Autophagy

The successful establishment of endometrial receptivity is a key factor in ensuring the fertility of ewes and their economic benefits. Hu sheep have attracted attention due to their high fecundity and year-round estrus. In this study, we found that in the luteal phase, the uterine gland density, uterine coefficient, and number of uterine caruncles of high-fertility Hu sheep were higher than those of low-fertility Hu sheep. Thousands of differentially expressed genes were identified in the endometrium of Hu sheep with different fertility potential using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Several genes involved in endometrial receptivity were screened using bioinformatics analysis. The qRT-PCR analysis further revealed the differential expression of cAMP reactive element binding protein-1 (CREB1) in the Hu sheep endometrium during the estrous cycle. Functionally, our results suggested that CREB1 significantly affected the expression level of endometrial receptivity marker genes, promoted cell proliferation by facilitating the transition from the G1 phase to the S phase, and inhibited cell apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, we observed a negative linear correlation between miR-134-5p and CREB1 in the endometrium. In addition, CREB1 overexpression prevented the negative effect of miR-134-5p on endometrial stromal cell (ESC) growth. Taken together, these data indicated that CREB1 was regulated by miR-134-5p and may promote the establishment of uterine receptivity by regulating the function of ESCs. Moreover, this study provides new theoretical references for identifying candidate genes associated with fertility.

Molecular Mechanisms of Endometriosis Revealed Using Omics Data

Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder prevalent in women of reproductive age. The primary symptoms include dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and infertility. However, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. With the advent of high-throughput technologies, various omics experiments have been conducted to identify genes related to the pathophysiology of endometriosis. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying endometriosis using omics. When genes identified in omics experiments were compared with endometriosis disease genes identified in independent studies, the number of overlapping genes was moderate. However, the characteristics of these genes were found to be equivalent when functional gene set enrichment analysis was performed using gene ontology and biological pathway information. These findings indicate that omics technology provides invaluable information regarding the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Moreover, the functional characteristics revealed using enrichment analysis provide important clues for discovering endometriosis disease genes in future research.

Overexpression of lncRNA-MEG3 inhibits endometrial cell proliferation and invasion via miR-21-5p/DNMT3B/Twist

Recent studies have found that lncRNA-MEG3(MEG3) plays an important role in the development of EMs (Endometriosis), but the specific mechanism needs to be further explored. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MEG3 on the proliferation, invasion of EMs cells. The authors used RT-qPCR to detect the expression of MEG3 and miR-21-5p in EMs tissues and hESCs cells, MTT and Transwell to detect cell proliferation and invasion, western blotting assay to detect the expression of DNMT3B and Twist, MSP to detect the methylation of Twist. The present study's detection results showed that MEG3 was lowly expressed in EMs tissues and hESCs cells, and overexpression of MEG3 could down-regulate miR-21-5p and inhibit endometrial cell proliferation and invasion. In addition, overexpression of MEG3 upregulated the expression of DNMT3B and promoted the methylation of TWIST. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that MEG3 is downregulated in EMs tissues, and overexpression of MEG3 can promote the activity of DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B by downregulating miR-21-5p, thereby promoting the methylation of Twist, downregulating Twist level to inhibits hESCs cells proliferation and invasion.

β-Lactoglobulin affects the oxidative status and viability of equine endometrial progenitor cells via lncRNA-mRNA-miRNA regulatory associations

The β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) was previously characterized as a mild antioxidant modulating cell viability. However, its biological action regarding endometrial stromal cell cytophysiology and function has never been considered. In this study, we investigated the influence of β-LG on the cellular status of equine endometrial progenitor cells under oxidative stress. The study showed that β-LG decreased the intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, simultaneously ameliorating cell viability and exerting an anti-apoptotic effect. However, at the transcriptional level, the reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic factors (i.e. BAX and BAD) was accompanied by decreased expression of mRNA for anti-apoptotic BCL-2 and genes coding antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD-1, GPx). Still, we have also noted the positive effect of β-LG on the expression profile of transcripts involved in endometrial viability and receptivity, including ITGB1, ENPP3, TUNAR and miR-19b-3p. Finally, the expression of master factors of endometrial decidualization, namely prolactin and IGFBP1, was increased in response to β-LG, while non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), that is lncRNA MALAT1 and miR-200b-3p, were upregulated. Our findings indicate a novel potential role of β-LG as a molecule regulating endometrial tissue functionality, promoting viability and normalizing the oxidative status of endometrial progenitor cells. The possible mechanism of β-LG action includes the activation of ncRNAs essential for tissue regeneration, such as lncRNA MALAT-1/TUNAR and miR-19b-3p/miR-200b-3p.

Functional roles of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 in gynecologic cancers

Gynecologic cancers are reproductive disorders characterized by pelvic pain and infertility. The identification of new predictive markers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of gynecologic cancers is urgently necessary. One of the recent successes in gynecologic cancers research is identifying the role of signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent experiments showed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) can be novel therapeutic approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers. LncRNA are transcribed RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in multiple biological processes by regulating the different steps of gene expression. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT1) is a well-known lncRNA that plays functional roles in gene expression, RNA processing, and epigenetic regulation. High expression of MALAT1 is closely related to numerous human diseases. It is generally believed that MALAT1 expression is associated with cancer cell growth, autophagy, invasion, and metastasis. MALAT1 by targeting multiple signaling pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) could contribute to the pathogenesis of gynecologic cancers. In this review, we will summarize functional roles of MALAT1 in the most common gynecologic cancers, including endometrium, breast, ovary, and cervix.

Silencing of circ_0007299 suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasiveness and promotes apoptosis of ectopic endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis via miR-424-5p-dependent modulation of CREB1

BACKGROUND

The abnormality of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) can contribute to endometriosis pathogenesis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) possess critical roles in endometriosis pathogenesis. Here, we defined the activity and mechanism of human circ_0007299 in the regulation of ectopic ESCs in vitro.

METHODS

Circ_0007299, miR-424-5p and cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) were quantified by qRT-PCR or immunoblotting. Cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and motility were gauged by CCK-8, 5-Ethynyl-2'-Deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, transwell, and wound-healing assays, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were used to verify the direct relationship between miR-424-5p and circ_0007299 or CREB1.

RESULTS

Our data showed that circ_0007299 was upregulated in human ectopic endometrium tissues and ectopic ESCs. Silencing endogenous circ_0007299 impeded the proliferation, invasiveness, and motility and enhanced apoptosis of ectopic ESCs. Mechanistically, circ_0007299 regulated miR-424-5p expression. Moreover, circ_0007299 silencing impeded the proliferation, invasiveness, and motility and enhanced apoptosis of ectopic ESCs via its regulation on miR-424-5p. CREB1 was identified as a direct miR-424-5p target, and miR-424-5p overexpression suppressed ectopic ESC proliferation, migration, and invasiveness and promoted apoptosis by downregulating CREB1. Furthermore, circ_0007299 positively modulated CREB1 expression through miR-424-5p competition.

CONCLUSION

Our findings establish that circ_0007299 silencing impedes the proliferation, invasiveness, and motility and promotes apoptosis of ectopic ESCs at least in part via miR-424-5p-dependent modulation of CREB1.

MALAT1 accelerates proliferation and inflammation and suppresses apoptosis of endometrial stromal cells via the microRNA-142-3p/CXCR7 axis

MALAT1, microRNA (miR)-142-3p, and CXCR7 are critical molecules mediating endometriosis progression, and their correlation in endometriosis has been barely discussed. Thus, this research sought to survey the impact of MALAT1 on endometrial stromal cell (ESC) proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation via miR-142-3p/CXCR7 axis to promote explorations on endometriosis. In endometrial tissues and ESCs, CXCR7 expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis and miR-142-3p and MALAT1 expression by qRT-PCR. Then, ESC proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 and EdU labeling assays, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in ESC supernatant by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The interactions among CXCR7, miR-142-3p, and MALAT1 were evaluated by dual luciferase reporter gene, RNA pull-down, and Argonaute 2- RNA immunoprecipitation assays. At last, the relevance of miR-142-3p to MALAT1 and that of miR-142-3p to CXCR7 in ectopic endometrial tissues were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. CXCR7 and MALAT1 were overexpressed whilst miR-142-3p was lowly expressed in ectopic endometrial tissues. CXCR7 silencing or miR-142-3p overexpression reduced proliferative ability and enhanced apoptosis rate in ESCs and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in cell supernatant. miR-142-3p negatively targeted CXCR7 while MALAT1 negatively targeted miR-142-3p. However, MALAT1 silencing diminished ESC proliferation and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in ESC supernatant and elevated ESC apoptosis, which was counterweighed by inhibiting miR-142-3p. Conclusively, MALAT1 promoted ESC proliferation and inflammatory factor expression and inhibited ESC apoptosis via miR-142-3p/CXCR axis.

Long non-coding RNA DHRS4 antisense RNA 1 inhibits ectopic endometrial cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in endometriosis by regulating microRNA-139-5p expression

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic gynecological syndrome. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs participate in the pathogenesis and development of endometriosis. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of DHRS4 antisense RNA 1 (DHRS4-AS1) in endometriosis. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to determine the relationship between DHRS4-AS1, microRNA (miR)-139-5p, and arrestin domain-containing 3 (ARRDC3). Furthermore, the expression of DHRS4-AS1 and miR-139-5p in ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EC-ESCs) and endometriosis tissues was examined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration and invasion of EC-ESCs, respectively. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were further utilized to determine cleaved-Caspase 3, Caspase 3, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression levels. Compared with the EN group, DHRS4-AS1 levels were lower and miR-139-5p levels were higher in EC-ESCs and tissues obtained from patients with endometriosis. Functional assays validated that DHRS4-AS1 targets miR-139-5p, with ARRDC3 being a downstream target of miR-139-5p. Rescue experiments demonstrated that DHRS4-AS1 inhibited EC-ESC proliferation, migration, and invasion, but promoted apoptosis, by targeting miR-139-5p in endometriosis. cleaved-Caspase3 expression level and the cleaved-Caspase 3/Caspase 3 ratio increased, while the expression levels of MMP-9 decreased, after transfection with DHRS4-AS1 overexpression plasmids; however, the effects induced by DHRS4-AS1 overexpression could be partially reversed by co-transfection with the miR-139-5p mimic. The current study demonstrates that the DHRS4-AS1/miR-139-5p/ARRDC3 axis participates in the regulation of EC-ESC function.

Genetic Variants miR-126, miR-146a, miR-196a2, and miR-499 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction: Alterations in certain microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes have reported in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other disease of the female reproductive system, and so may be potential biomarkers. We hypothesised alterations in the prevalence of four miRNAs single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants miR-126 rs4636297, miR-146a rs2910164, miR-196a2 rs11614913, and miR-499 rs3746444 in women with PCOS in comparison to healthy controls.

Methods: SNPs in the four miRNAs were determined in 385 patients and 385 controls by standard RT-PCR techniques.

Results: SNPs in miR-126 and miR-246a were significant linked with PCOS under the allelic, dominant, co-dominant, and recessive models (all p ≤ 0.01). The SNP in miR-499 was linked to PCOS in allelic (T, p = 0.002), dominant (p = 0.035) and recessive (p = 0.003) models. The SNPs -196a was significant linked to PCOS only in the recessive model (p = 0.037). Combining these SNPs in miR-499, mi146a, miR-196a and miR-126 respectively into allele haplotypes found highly significant odds ratios (95% CI) of 0.40 (0.29–0.54) (p < 0.001) for the C-G-C-G haplotype, and 0.46 (0.30–0.70) (p = 0.002) for the C-C-C-A haplotype (p = 0.002) for PCOS.

Conclusion: Single SNPs and haplotype combinations in certain SNPs in miR-126, miR-146a, miR-196a2 and miR-499 are strongly linked to PCOS, and so may be useful predictors of this condition.

Molecular Signatures Correlated With Poor IVF Outcomes: Insights From the mRNA and lncRNA Expression of Endometriotic Granulosa Cells

The outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for endometriotic women are significantly worse than for patients without ovarian endometriosis (OEM), as shown by fewer retrieved oocytes. However, the exact pathophysiological mechanism is still unknown. Thus, we conducted a prospective study that analyzed mRNA and lncRNA transcriptome between granulosa cells (GCs) from patients with fewer retrieved oocytes due to OEM and GCs from controls with male factor (MF) infertility using an RNA sequencing approach. We found a group of significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including NR5A2, MAP3K5, PGRMC2, PRKAR2A, DEPTOR, ITGAV, KPNB1, GPC6, EIF3A, and SMC5, which were validated to be upregulated and negatively correlated with retrieved oocyte numbers in GCs of patients with OEM, while DUSP1 demonstrated the opposite. The molecular functions of these DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways involving mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, Wnt signaling, steroid hormone response, apoptosis, and cell junction. Furthermore, we performed lncRNA analysis and identified a group of differentially expressed known/novel lncRNAs that were co-expressed with the validated DEGs and correlated with retrieved oocyte numbers. Co-expression networks were constructed between the DEGs and known/novel lncRNAs. These distinctive molecular signatures uncovered in this study are involved in the pathological regulation of ovarian reserve dysfunction in OEM patients.

The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder affecting the quality of life and fertility of many women around the world. Heterogeneous and non-specific symptoms may lead to a delay in diagnosis, with treatment options limited to surgery and hormonal therapy. Hence, there is a need to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease to improve diagnosis and treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly shown to be involved in gene regulation but remain relatively under investigated in endometriosis. Mutational and transcriptomic studies have implicated lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lncRNAs or their regulatory regions have been associated with endometriosis. Genome-wide transcriptomic studies have identified lncRNAs that show deregulated expression in endometriosis, some of which have been subjected to further experiments, which support a role in endometriosis. Mechanistic studies indicate that lncRNAs may regulate genes involved in endometriosis by acting as a molecular sponge for miRNAs, by directly targeting regulatory elements via interactions with chromatin or transcription factors or by affecting signaling pathways. Future studies should concentrate on determining the role of uncharacterized lncRNAs revealed by endometriosis transcriptome studies and the relevance of lncRNAs implicated in the disease by in vitro and animal model studies.

Inhibition of METTL3/m6A/miR126 promotes the migration and invasion of endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis

N6-methyladenosine (m6A), one of the most abundant RNA modifications, is involved in the progression of many diseases, but its role and related molecular mechanisms in endometriosis remain unknown. To address these issues, we detected m6A levels in normal, eutopic and ectopic endometrium and found the m6A levels decreased in eutopic and ectopic endometrium compared with normal endometrium. In addition, we proved that methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) downregulation accounted for m6A reduction in endometriosis. Furthermore, we observed that METTL3 knockdown facilitated the migration and invasion of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs), while METTL3 overexpression exerted opposite effects, suggesting that METTL3 downregulation might contribute to endometriosis development by enhancing cellular migration and invasion. Mechanistically, METTL3-dependent m6A was involved in the DGCR8-mediated maturation of primary microRNA126 (miR126, pri-miR126). Moreover, miR126 inhibitor significantly enhanced the migration and invasion of METTL3-overexpressing HESCs, whereas miR126 mimics attenuated the migration and invasion of METTL3-silenced HESCs. Our study revealed the METTL3/m6A/miR126 pathway, whose inhibition might contribute to endometriosis development by enhancing cellular migration and invasion. It also showed that METTL3 might be a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for endometriosis.

Exercise Improves Endothelial Function via the lncRNA MALAT1/miR-320a Axis in Obese Children and Adolescents

Background

Endothelial dysfunction commonly occurs in obese children and adolescents, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Exercise has significant protective effects against endothelial dysfunction through regulating some noncoding RNAs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 and microRNA-320a (miR-320a) with the exercise-induced improvement of endothelial dysfunction in obese children and adolescents.

Methods

Sixty obese children and adolescents were included in this study, including 40 cases that received 12-week exercise training and 20 cases that received only diet control. The anthropometric and blood indices before and after exercise were recorded and compared, and the endothelial dysfunction was evaluated by examining the levels of markers, including VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin, using an ELISA assay. The expression levels of noncoding RNAs were assessed using real-time quantitative PCR, and their correlation with patients' recorded indices and endothelial dysfunction markers was analyzed.

Results

The 12-week exercise training significantly decreased the levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin and could inhibit MALAT1 but promote miR-320a expression in obese children and adolescents. The expression of MALAT1 and miR-320a was correlated with the changes in the anthropometric and blood indices of obese children and adolescents, and their correlations with endothelial dysfunction markers were obtained.

Conclusion

All the data revealed that exercise has significantly protective effects against endothelial dysfunction and can regulate the expression of the MALAT1/miR-320a axis. MALAT1 and miR-320a were correlated with endothelial dysfunction markers, indicating that the MALAT1/miR-320a axis may be related with the alleviating effects of exercise on endothelial function in obese children and adolescents.

LncRNA MALAT1/miR-320a axis is associated with exercise-induced improvement of endothelial dysfunction in obese children

BACKGROUND

Endothelial dysfunction commonly occurs in obese children, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Exercise has protective effects against endothelial dysfunction through regulating some noncoding RNAs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 and microRNA-320a (miR-320a) with the exercise-induced improvement of endothelial dysfunction in obese children.

METHODS

Sixty obese children were included in this study, and 40 cases received a 12-week exercise training. The morphological and blood indices before and after exercise were recorded and compared, and the endothelial dysfunction was evaluated by examining the levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, IL-6 and TNF-α using ELISA kits. The expression of noncoding RNAs was assessed using Real-Time quantitative PCR. Endothelial cells were used to explore the effects of MALAT1 and miR-320a on endothelial function.

RESULTS

The 12-well exercise training decreased the levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, and inhibited MALAT1 but promoted miR-320a expression in obese children. The expression of MALAT1 and miR-320a was correlated with the changes of morphological and blood indices in obese children, and their correlations with endothelial dysfunction markers were obtained. Additionally, MALAT1 overexpression or miR-320a reduction led to inhibited proliferation and increased inflammation in HUVECs.

CONCLUSION

All the data revealed that exercise has significantly protective effects against endothelial dysfunction, and can regulate the expression of the MALAT1/miR-320a axis. MALAT1 and miR-320a were correlated with endothelial dysfunction, indicating that the MALAT1/miR-320a axis may be related with the alleviating effects of exercise on endothelial function in obese children.

Antagonistic effect of VDR/CREB1 pathway on cadmium-induced apoptosis in porcine spleen

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic trace element that can enter the environment with industrial waste and accumulate in the body but the health effects of Cd on ternary pigs are still lacking in research. In order to explore the effect of Cd on the apoptosis of pig spleen and its mechanism, this study chose ternary pig as the research object to detect relevant indicators in pig spleen under Cd exposure. The results of this study showed that Cd exposure can induce apoptosis by promoting the absorption of various toxic trace elements in the spleen and inducing oxidative stress. We also found that the mechanism of Cd-induced apoptosis is closely related to the VDR/CREB1 pathway. On the one hand, Cd exposure can activate VDR, and indirectly regulate the CYP family, affecting the normal function of the spleen. On the other hand, VDR and its downstream genes antagonize the toxicity of Cd by maintaining the stability of the mitochondrial-related endoplasmic reticulum membrane structure. Our research will help researchers to further understand the physiological toxicity of Cd.

HMGB1 Mediated Inflammation and Autophagy Contribute to Endometriosis

AIM

High mobility group box (HMGB)-1 has been implicated in endometriosis due to the important regulatory roles of inflammation in endometriosis. The aim of the present study was to explore the roles of HMGB-1 in endometriosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Endometrial specimens were collected from women with endometriosis and healthy volunteers. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to determine the expression patterns and localization of HMGB-1 in the normal, eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to determine the mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β], autophagy-related markers [beclin-1, autophagy-related (atg)13, microtubule-associated protein light chain (LC)3-I, LC-II and p62] and HMGB-1, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between HMGB-1 with inflammatory cytokines and beclin-1. Besides, human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were isolated from ectopic endometrium and subsequently transfected with shRNA against HMGB-1. After the transfected cells were subjected to hypoxia, ELISA was used to determine the levels of HMGB-1 and inflammatory cytokines in the cell supernatant. Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of autophagy-related markers in the cells.

RESULTS

Positive correlations were observed between HMGB-1 and the inflammatory cytokines. In addition, a positive correlation was also identified between HMGB-1 and beclin-1 in the ectopic endometrium. Further results demonstrated that autophagy-related markers beclin-1, atg13 and p62 were significantly upregulated in the ectopic endometrium. In addition, HMGB-1 knockdown suppressed the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β and autophagy-related markers beclin-1 and atg13, while upregulated p62 in HESCs under hypoxic condition.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of HMGB-1 under hypoxic condition regulated inflammatory cytokines and autophagy-related markers. HMGB-1 might contribute to the development of endometriosis in part through regulating inflammatory response and autophagy.

LINC01116 promotes proliferation and migration of endometrial stromal cells by targeting FOXP1 via sponging miR-9-5p in endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common multi-factorial gynaecological disease. Recent studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In the present study, the expression profiles of lncRNAs in 6 pairs of endometriosis ectopic endometrium (ecEM) and eutopic endometrium (euEM) tissues were analysed by RNA sequencing. From the profiles, LINC01116 was found to be up-regulated in ecEM tissues compared to euEM tissues and was verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, functional experiments demonstrated that LINC01116 promoted the proliferation and migration of ectopic primary endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), while miR-9-5p exerted the opposite effects. Dual-luciferase reporter assays verified that LINC01116 directly sponged miR-9-5p and relieved the suppression of its target, Forkhead box protein P1 (FOXP1). Rescue experiments further demonstrated that LINC01116 could promote proliferation and migration of ESCs by targeting FOXP1 via sponging miR-9-5p. Overall, our study illuminates that LINC01116 promotes the progression of endometriosis through the miR-9-5p/FOXP1 axis. This finding provides a novel therapeutic target for patients with endometriosis.